Should You Buy a Vehicle in its First Model Year?

The allure of being the first to own a brand new car model or generation, or even a vehicle from a newly launched manufacturer, can be exciting. But is it a wise decision? There has long been a common belief that buying a vehicle in its first model year or purchasing a car from a new manufacturer carries a certain level of inherent risk, but is that just the equivalent of an automotive old wives tale, or is there a reasonable foundation that this conception has persisted? 

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This guide explores the various aspects to consider when buying a vehicle in its first model year, including debut models from emerging manufacturers such as Rivian or Polestar, new generations of popular vehicles like the Ford F-150 and F-150 Lightning or Toyota Land Cruiser, and mid-model-year refreshes of the same generation vehicle.

First model-year vehicle reliability

One of the most important factors that concerns potential buyers of first model year vehicles is reliability. There’s the perception with new models or cars from brand new manufacturers they haven’t been properly tested, but this is largely a misconception.

Vehicles, including wholly new models, are extensively tested by manufacturers before they’re released to the public, subjected to thousands of hours of road tests across millions of miles. Even better for consumers interested in new model vehicles, J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Studies often rank first-year models close to the top of their segments for three-year dependability. 

On average, the dependability studies don’t reveal any significant differences between new models and their more established counterparts across their lifespans.

Availability of updates

The other facet of modern vehicles that’s a significant consideration when contemplating a new model vehicle is the availability of updates. Given how many electronic and digital elements of a new vehicle can be updated/upgraded by the manufacturer post-purchase, any number of things that, in the past, may have only been improved in subsequent generations can now be fixed remotely through vehicle updates. 

Incentives

Another factor to consider, as is the case with any new vehicle purchase, is incentives. Brand new vehicle launches typically generate a fair amount of demand, meaning sellers aren’t as likely to package them with incentives, whereas later generations and older models are more likely to require a little something extra to drum up interest.

Buying a Debut Vehicle from a New Manufacturer

Being an early adopter of a vehicle from a new manufacturer can be thrilling. You’re part of an exclusive group driving something entirely fresh on the road. However, new manufacturers may face growing pains, and initial models might have unforeseen issues.

Pros:

• Exclusivity: You’ll be one of the first to own a cutting-edge vehicle.
• Potential appreciation: Some first models become collectibles.
• State-of-the-art technology: They’re often packed with the latest tech.

Cons:

• Reliability Issues: Lack of long-term testing could lead to mechanical problems, though this may be less of a factor than intuition suggests.
• Resale Value: Uncertain future may affect resale prospects. With no historic model, it’s harder to predict how much depreciation will affect a new model.
• Unclear specialties: A new manufacturer won’t have an established record of excellence with certain vehicles/classes/chassis or an established reputation for post-launch support, frequency of recalls, etc.

While it’s always important to check a VIN or Vehicle History Report, these might not provide much information brand new models, so extensive research is essential.

Purchasing a New Generation Vehicle

A new generation of an existing model brings advancements in design, technology and performance. But it can also introduce new complexities. Think about a vehicle like the 2021 Ford Bronco: it was hyped up, reviewed well, and demand vastly exceeded supply when it came out, only for new owners to experience many different gremlins and issues that they may have avoided by waiting for a model-year refresh.

Pros:

• Upgraded features: enhanced safety, tech and performance
• Modern design: fresh aesthetics and improved ergonomics
• Proven provenance: a more iterative improvement on an existing (and usually successful) vehicle by a proven manufacturer

Cons:

• Potential defects: New designs might lead to unforeseen issues.
• Higher costs: premium pricing for the latest generation

It’s especially important to find out whether a used car you’re looking at is also the first model-year of a new generation, which can prove to be less reliable compared to later years of the same vehicle. Understanding a car’s market value and potential depreciation is vital in this situation.

Mid-Model Refreshes

Mid-model refreshes offer a balance, introducing improvements without drastic changes.

Pros:

• Tried and tested: Most mechanical aspects prove reliable.
• Updated technology and design: enhancements without complete overhaul
• Integrated learnings: These updates build on a history of data and feedback, often across many years of real world testing and telemetry.

Cons:

• Less exciting: not as groundbreaking as a new generation.
• Potentially outdated: May still lag behind the latest competitors.

Conclusion

Buying a vehicle in its first model year, whether it’s a completely new model, new generation of an existing one or even a debut vehicle from a fresh manufacturer, presents both exciting opportunities and potential challenges. Consideration of aspects like innovation, reliability, resale value and the availability of information through tools like our license plate lookup or vehicle recall check may help in making an informed decision. 

Whether you’re drawn to the allure of the cutting-edge or prefer the balanced approach of a mid-model refresh, being aware of these factors can guide you to the right choice. Overall, however, our final advice would be that when properly researched, and with appropriate preparation, buying a vehicle in its first model year is no riskier, nor does it imply less reliability, than a vehicle from a long running series. Happy car shopping!