Caveat Emptor

[Tyke57nz_imp]

Well I feel absolutely gutted, the machine I bought recently that I thought was a 2013 model is in fact a 2011 model. I approached the Honda importer here in NZ and was told it is perfectly legal to advertise the year of first registration or the year of manufacture on a new machine; there is no obligation to advertise both. Can`t see me ever buying or promoting another Honda product in NZ if this is their attitude.

[INTP_imp]

That is how Mercury sells their outboard boat engines in the US.

[the Ferret]

That doesn't sound right for a motor vehicle. Honda did that?

Having said that I ordered my utility towing trailer from a dealer and had to wait for it to come in. When it did come in, the manufacturer's build date was 3 years older than my purchase date. I was told that's common practice with utility trailers. They build a zillion of them, park them out in a lot, then title them as new when they are eventually sold..even if it's 3 years later.

[Tyke57nz_imp]

That doesn't sound right for a motor vehicle. Honda did that?

Having said that I ordered my utility towing trailer from a dealer and had to wait for it to come in. When it did come in, the manufacturer's build date was 3 years older than my purchase date. I was told that's common practice with utility trailers. They build a zillion of them, park them out in a lot, then title them as new when they are eventually sold..even if it's 3 years later.

From the Sales Team at Honda - Vehicle Year
For motor vehicles registered before 1 January 2007, “vehicle year” means the year of manufacture or the model year or the year of first registration. For motor vehicles registered after 1 January 2007, “vehicle year” means the year of first registration anywhere in the world. I would have seriously looked at the purchase price if I had know it was 2 years old. That said, I am enjoying the machine for what it is and the smile it brings to my face.

[Scoobynut_imp]

That doesn't sound right for a motor vehicle. Honda did that?

Having said that I ordered my utility towing trailer from a dealer and had to wait for it to come in. When it did come in, the manufacturer's build date was 3 years older than my purchase date. I was told that's common practice with utility trailers. They build a zillion of them, park them out in a lot, then title them as new when they are eventually sold..even if it's 3 years later.

From the Sales Team at Honda - Vehicle Year
For motor vehicles registered before 1 January 2007, “vehicle year” means the year of manufacture or the model year or the year of first registration. For motor vehicles registered after 1 January 2007, “vehicle year” means the year of first registration anywhere in the world. I would have seriously looked at the purchase price if I had know it was 2 years old. That said, I am enjoying the machine for what it is and the smile it brings to my face.

There's probably not a lot you can do about it, so I'd go with that last thought and just enjoy it. IT doesn't know how old it is.

[furious_blue_imp]

In the U.S., that's not legal.

Honda lost a big lawsuit in the 70's. Some of its dealers were selling earlier year models as current. After losing the suit, Honda motorcycle's manufacturer badges had the year model printed in large numbers so that there would be no confusion as to what year the bike was.

[flynrider]

That must be a NZ thing. Here in the U.S. we use the model year for motor vehicles. Model year determines resale value as well as taxation values (where motor vehicles are taxed). The year digit in the VIN specifies the model year, which is why they also indicate the date of manufacture separately.

Back in '96 I bought my brand new '93 CB750 (still in the crate). It was sold and registered as a '93 model and I also paid less because that brand new bike was 3 model years older than the current model.

I know of a few cases over the years where a customer successfully sued a dealership for misrepresenting the model year of a new vehicle. The key was a contract stating that the vehicle was the newer year, when the VIN indicated that it was not.

[Aussie_imp]

I knew mine was a 2010 MY when I bought it new in 2013. It was actually advertised that way by the dealer. Different laws maybe?

[Tyke57nz_imp]

That doesn't sound right for a motor vehicle. Honda did that?

Having said that I ordered my utility towing trailer from a dealer and had to wait for it to come in. When it did come in, the manufacturer's build date was 3 years older than my purchase date. I was told that's common practice with utility trailers. They build a zillion of them, park them out in a lot, then title them as new when they are eventually sold..even if it's 3 years later.

From the Sales Team at Honda - Vehicle Year
For motor vehicles registered before 1 January 2007, “vehicle year” means the year of manufacture or the model year or the year of first registration. For motor vehicles registered after 1 January 2007, “vehicle year” means the year of first registration anywhere in the world. I would have seriously looked at the purchase price if I had know it was 2 years old. That said, I am enjoying the machine for what it is and the smile it brings to my face.

There's probably not a lot you can do about it, so I'd go with that last thought and just enjoy it. IT doesn't know how old it is.

There's probably not a lot you can do about it, so I'd go with that last thought and just enjoy it. IT doesn't know how old it is.
That was my way of thinking....eventually! Its the principle that has bugged me more than anything.

[Cormanus]

That doesn't sound right for a motor vehicle. Honda did that?

Having said that I ordered my utility towing trailer from a dealer and had to wait for it to come in. When it did come in, the manufacturer's build date was 3 years older than my purchase date. I was told that's common practice with utility trailers. They build a zillion of them, park them out in a lot, then title them as new when they are eventually sold..even if it's 3 years later.

From the Sales Team at Honda - Vehicle Year
For motor vehicles registered before 1 January 2007, “vehicle year” means the year of manufacture or the model year or the year of first registration. For motor vehicles registered after 1 January 2007, “vehicle year” means the year of first registration anywhere in the world. I would have seriously looked at the purchase price if I had know it was 2 years old. That said, I am enjoying the machine for what it is and the smile it brings to my face.

There's probably not a lot you can do about it, so I'd go with that last thought and just enjoy it. IT doesn't know how old it is.

There's probably not a lot you can do about it, so I'd go with that last thought and just enjoy it. IT doesn't know how old it is.
+1