What should I use for date placed in service? vehicle expense?

[elkinm]

I know the official answer is when I started using the vehicle for business and as is stated here: https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-credits-deductions/discussion/what-does-date-placed-in-service...

However, I did not know I was using it for business or did not know I could deduct it so I never kept any records.

So again what date should I use. A random date when I may have started using it long ago, or the more recent date when I started keeping mileage and expense records as a proper business expense.

The second one makes more sense to me, but I would like know the proper way to do it. Thank you.

[Vanessa A · Accepted solution]

It would be better to use the date when you started keeping mileage and expense records as this would be "official" and you have records to back up your claims.  

[elkinm]

Thank you. That is what I thought as well, I just wanted to be sure. Thanks again.