SOUTH AFRICA, Johannesburg, 17 December 2025 – The National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) seeks to clarify a misconception that persists regarding the model year of a new vehicle and its registration date. The often repeated, but incorrect, narrative suggests that purchasing a new vehicle late in the year and only registering it in the following year will result in the car being documented as a newer model year, thereby retaining more resale value.
NADA confirms that this belief is false and leads to an unnecessary delay in the delivery of the vehicle to the car buyer.
“The core of the misunderstanding lies in confusing the manufacturer-designated model year with the vehicle’s initial registration details as captured on the e-NaTIS system,” explains NADA National Vice Chairperson, Thembinkosi Pantsi.
“The only entity with the authority to declare the year of manufacture or the specific model year of a vehicle is the manufacturing plant where that vehicle was assembled. This year is set by the vehicle’s manufacturer and is based on the production schedule and specifications, irrespective of when it is sold or registered,” says Pantsi.
What e-NaTIS Records
The National Road Traffic Act, 1999 (Act No 93 of 1999) and the National Road Traffic Regulations govern the information that is kept on the National Traffic Information System (e-NaTIS). The Department of Transport has clarified on previous occasions that the motor vehicle register, as operated on e-NaTIS, does not keep record of the model year or year of manufacture of any vehicle.
What the system does record, and what is often misinterpreted, is the date of liability for first licensing, which is printed on the certificates issued by Registering Authorities.
“Consumers need to be aware that delaying the registration of a new car until the start of the following calendar year has absolutely no bearing on the car’s official model year,” explains Pantsi. “The vehicle’s model year is stamped at the factory and cannot be changed by waiting for the calendar to turn,” he adds.
Regarding resale values, Pantsi concludes by stating that used car valuation guides and trade platforms rely on the actual model year. “A slight delay in registration, while showing a ‘newer’ date on the registration certificate, will not determine or change model year as confirmed by the VIN.”
