Buying a used car always comes with risks, and one of the keys is to determine is it a restyled version or a pre-restyling version?. Not only the price and prestige of the car depend on this, but also its technical characteristics, reliability, and sometimes even spare parts compatibility. For example, Toyota Camry XV50 after restyling in 2017, it received a new 2.5 liter engine with a different control unit, and Volkswagen Passat B8 got a different suspension and multimedia system.
The problem is that sellers do not always honestly indicate the year of restyling in their advertisements. Sometimes this is done out of ignorance (for example, they confuse calendar year of issue with model), and sometimes deliberately - in order to sell pre-restyling at the price of restyling. In this article we will analyze unique signs of restyling that cannot be faked, and learn to distinguish them even from photographs in the ad.
1. What is restyling and why is it important
Restyling (from English. restyling) is planned model update, which the manufacturer usually conducts 3–4 years after the start of sales. Unlike the full generation (generation), restyling affects only some of the details:
- 🔧 Exterior: bumpers, headlights, radiator grille, rims
- 🚗 Interior: dashboard, steering wheel, finishing materials, multimedia
- ⚙️ Technical changes: engines, gearboxes, suspension (less often)
Why is this critical when purchasing? Firstly, restyled versions are often cheaper to maintain — Manufacturers are eliminating “childhood diseases” in the first years of production. For example, Kia Sportage 4th generation after restyling in 2018, it received an updated automatic transmission, which fails less often. Secondly, spare parts for pre-styling may cost more due to less demand.
⚠️ Attention: Don't confuse restyling with facelift (minor changes, for example, new body color) or restyling for a specific market (for example, Skoda Rapid for India and Europe are different in appearance, but refer to the same version).
2. How to determine restyling by VIN code: step-by-step instructions
The most reliable way is to check by VIN code (vehicle identification number). It contains information about the year of manufacture, plant and model year (not to be confused with the calendar!). For example, a car manufactured in December 2019 may be a 2020 model year.
Where to find VIN:
- 📄 B STS (registration certificate) or PTS
- 🚗 On windshield (bottom driver's side)
- 🔧 Under the hood (on a special plate)
- 🚪 On the driver's door pillar
Next, we check the VIN through official services:
| Service | Link | What does it show |
|---|---|---|
| RosAvto | rosavto.ru | Year of manufacture, model, equipment |
| Autocode | avtocod.ru | Model year, history of restylings |
| Manufacturer VIN reports | Official websites (for example, Toyota) | Exact version (pre-restyle/restyle) |
Example of VIN decoding for Hyundai Tucson (TL):
5XYZU3LBXKG— pre-styling (2015–2018)5XYZU3LBXMG— restyling (2018–2020, letter M in the 10th character)
Study the 10th character of the VIN (year of manufacture)
Check with the manufacturer's model year table
Check the report on Autocode or a similar service
Compare with PTS data (sometimes the version is indicated there)
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3. Visual differences: what has changed outside
If the VIN code is not at hand (for example, you are looking at photos in the ad), pay attention to key visual cues. Manufacturers rarely change all elements at once; they usually update 3-5 key parts.
Let's look at the example of popular models:
| Model | Dorestyling | Restyling |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Tiguan (2016–2020) | Headlights with separate DRL sections, grille of 3 crossbars | Continuous LED strip in the headlights, grille of 5 crossbars |
| Renault Duster (2015–2021) | Round fog lights, chrome grille | C-shaped DRLs, body-color grille |
| Mazda CX-5 (2017–2021) | Headlights without wings, bumper with straight lines | Headlights with curved LED “wings”, bumper with aggressive ribs |
General rules:
- 💡 Headlights and taillights - change in 90% of restylings (for example, Ford Kuga Dorestayl had round lights, Restayl had rectangular ones).
- 🔄 Radiator grille - often becomes wider or narrower (in BMW X5 G05 after 2019, the grid increased by 70%).
- 🚙 Bumper — air curtains are added, the shape of the foglights is changed.
- 🎨 Exterior colors - new shades appear (for example, Skoda Octavia after 2020 received color Race Blue).
By headlights and bumper|By VIN code|By year in title|Comparing with manufacturer catalogs|I don’t know how to tell the difference-->
4. Interior: 5 details that give restyling
The interior is updated less often than the exterior, but there are still changes. Please note:
- Steering wheel — the shape of the spokes changes, buttons are added (for example, Nissan Qashqai J11 after 2017, the steering wheel became 4-spoke instead of 3-spoke).
- Dashboard — digital “tidy” appears in restyling (Audi Q5 received Virtual Cockpit only in 2020).
- Multimedia system — firmware is updated, added Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, the screen diagonal changes.
- Finishing materials — soft appears instead of plastic soft touch, aluminum inserts.
- Climate control — additional modes are added (for example, ionizer in Hyundai Santa Fe after 2019).
Example: Kia Rio X-Line pre-restyling (2017–2020) had a gray plastic panel, and restyling (2020–2023) had a black one with red inserts and a different arrangement of deflectors.
How to check multimedia for originality?
Many sellers install “Chinese” screens that imitate restyling. To check
1. Look at the back of the screen - the original has the manufacturer's logo and serial number.
2. Go to the multimedia settings and find the “System Information” section - there should be a software version with a date no older than the year of restyling.
3. Check compatibility with original functions (for example, restyled 360° camera Mitsubishi Outlander works only with the native system).
5. Documents: where to look for information about restyling
If you have access to the car's documents, check:
- 📋 PTS — in the column “Model, vehicle type” the version is sometimes indicated (for example,
VW Golf 1.4 TSI Highline (FL), whereFL— facelift, i.e. restyling). - 📑 Service book — it may indicate the date of the last maintenance with a note about a software update (relevant for restylings with new ECUs).
- 📊 Auto history report (Autocode, CarVertical) - there is often a “Technical Specifications” section indicating the version.
Please note release date in PTS and model year - they may not match! For example, Toyota RAV4 XA40 with release date 11.2015 refers to model year 2016 (pre-styling), and with the date 01.2016 - already for restyling.
⚠️ Attention: In some countries (such as the USA), the model year begins with July 1, and not from January 1. Therefore, a car released in June 2019 may be a 2020 model year!
6. Technical changes: engines, gearboxes, suspension
Restyling does not always affect hardware, but some models receive new power units. For example:
- 🔥 Ford Focus 3 (restyling 2015) - engine
1.5 EcoBoostreplaced1.6 Ti-VCT. - ⚡ Volvo XC60 (restyling 2017) - hybrid versions appeared T8 Twin Engine.
- 🔧 Renault Arkana (restyling 2023) - box EDC received new software for smooth switching.
How to check:
- Compare engine number (on the cylinder block) with manufacturer's catalogs.
- Look gearbox markings - it is usually indicated on a plate under the hood.
- Check on-board computer settings — new modes may appear in restyling (for example, Sport+ in Audi A4 B9).
If you are not sure, use online decoders (for example, VinDecoderz), where you can enter the engine or gearbox number and get accurate information.
If the seller claims that the car is restyled, but this is not confirmed by the VIN, ask to see it dealer invoice indicating the version or photos of original documents (for example, a service book with an official service seal).
7. Mistakes when determining restyling: what will deceive you
Even experienced shoppers make mistakes sometimes. Let's consider common pitfalls:
- 📅 Year of manufacture ≠ restyling. A car produced in 2018 may be pre-restyling if the restyling took place in mid-2018 (for example, Peugeot 3008).
- 🎨 Repainted parts. Unscrupulous sellers paint bumpers or grilles to imitate restyling. Check gaps between parts and quality of painting (the original has no smudges).
- 🔧 Tuned headlights. Chinese LED headlights may look like restyling, but have worse light distribution. Check marking on the headlight glass - the original has the manufacturer's logo.
- 📄 Fake documents. The PTS may contain corrections in the “Model” column. Check the data with original VIN on the body.
Example of deception: Mazda CX-9 pre-restyling (2016–2019) is often passed off as restyling, installing headlights from Mazda CX-5 - they are similar in appearance, but have different mounting and connectors.
If the seller refuses to provide the VIN or documents for verification, this is a reason to be wary. Even with visual similarities to restyling without supporting data, the risk of purchasing a pre-restyling is 70%.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about restyling
Is it possible to find out by the license plate whether it is restyling or not?
No, the license plate does not contain information about the vehicle version. The most you can find out is the year of registration, but this is not the same as the model year. Use VIN or visual inspection.
Is restyling always more expensive than pre-restyling?
Not always. For example, Lada Vesta after restyling in 2021, the price fell due to the simplification of the interior. A BMW 5 Series G30 in the 2020 restyling, on the contrary, the price increased by 10–15% due to new technologies. Compare specific models.
What if the title indicates one version, but the VIN indicates another?
This is a sign of an error in the documents. Contact the traffic police to verify the data or request an extract from the register. If the car is on credit or lease, check the version with the bank - they often record accurate data.
Is it possible to convert pre-restyling into restyling?
Technically yes, but it's expensive and not always legal. For example, replacing headlights with restyled ones requires re-registration with the traffic police (since the light fixture is changing). The average cost of a complete “remodel” is from 150,000 ₽ (excluding electronics).
Which models are most often passed off as restyling?
According to statistics Autocode, leaders in fraud:
- Toyota Camry XV50 (Dorestyle 2014–2017 is passed off as Restyle 2017–2019)
- Hyundai Creta (2016–2020 vs 2020–2023)
- Kia Sportage 4 (2016–2018 vs 2018–2021)
- Volkswagen Polo Sedan (2015–2020, only headlights and bumper were changed)