How to Check the Production Date of a Vehicle?
3 Answers
Vehicle production date can be checked in the following ways: Below the side pillar on the passenger side. Open the passenger side door to see it below the side pillar. Top right corner of the compliance certificate. The production date marked on the compliance certificate that comes with the new vehicle can be detailed down to the year, month, and day. The factory paper nameplate on the windshield in front of the driver's seat. This nameplate only specifies the year and month, and it includes the vehicle's VIN. Every car has its own unique VIN when it leaves the factory. Even cars of the same brand and model have completely different VINs. The tenth digit of the VIN, whether a letter or number, indicates the production date of the vehicle.
Last week, I encountered this exact issue when helping my brother inspect a used car. Actually, there are several ways to find the production date. The most convenient method is to check the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) at the bottom left corner of the windshield – that 17-digit alphanumeric code. Focus on the 10th character; by referring to the year code chart, you can determine if it's a 2020 or 2021 model. The manufacturing label on the door frame of the passenger side also clearly states the date in a format like '2020/08' (year/month). If these areas are covered by tinting, just flip through the maintenance manual in the glove compartment – the first service record page will definitely show the production date. I remember once helping a neighbor aunt check her car; her label was rusted, so we ended up using a mobile app to input the VIN and check the registration details. These methods can basically be done within five minutes. Knowing the vehicle's age in advance is particularly useful for buying parts and scheduling maintenance.
I remember when helping my dad transfer the ownership of his old car last year, the DMV required verification of the production date. The simplest method is to open the passenger door and check the metal plate attached below the B-pillar, which displays the manufacturing year and month alongside the VIN. If the plate is damaged, don't worry—lift the trunk mat, and you'll often find the same information in the spare tire well. If that doesn't work, try lifting the carpet under the driver's seat, as some German cars fix the production plate to the metal frame beneath. My neighbor Uncle Zhang even encountered a faded plate on his truck and had to retrieve the factory records from the dealership using the vehicle registration. Nowadays, many newer cars are smarter, allowing you to directly view the production date in the vehicle information menu on the infotainment screen.
