How to Check the Production Date of Inventory Vehicles?
4 Answers
The vehicle identification plate is a label that displays vehicle information, which generally includes details such as the production date, VIN code, displacement, and manufacturing company. For joint-venture and domestic brand vehicles, small dots and Arabic numerals on the six pieces of glass (front, rear, left, and right) indicate the year of glass production. The tire manufacturing date consists of a 4-digit Arabic number. The first two digits represent the specific production week, while the last two digits indicate the production year.
Hey, I often come across stock cars when buying a car. How do I check the production date? My experience is to start with the nameplate next to the door frame, which usually indicates the manufacturing year and month. Some cars have a small label under the hood or near the seat. For example, last month I looked at a stock car, and the nameplate on the inside of the door clearly read August 2022. Thanks to checking it, I confirmed it wasn’t too old. If the nameplate isn’t obvious, check the VIN, the Vehicle Identification Number. There’s a string of characters at the lower left corner of the windshield, and the 10th digit represents the year—for example, M stands for 2021, N for 2022. With stock cars sitting for a long time, the battery might be undercharged, and the tires could have cracks from aging. I recommend asking the salesperson to show the maintenance records to verify the dates. I always carry a small notebook to jot down common VIN year codes to avoid buying a problem car that’s been in stock too long, and it helps me negotiate a better price.
As a car owner with over a decade of driving experience, I know the tricks to identify a stock vehicle's production date. Simply put, open the door or hood to locate the date on the metal nameplate, or feel around the seat bracket inside the car for a label. The tenth digit of the VIN is crucial—letters like L indicate 2020, P stands for 2023. Mastering this helps quickly determine how long the vehicle has been in stock. Long-stored cars are prone to issues like deteriorated engine oil or aged rubber components, so I always assess whether new parts are needed after inspection. Never rely solely on the salesperson's verbal claims about the date—physically verifying it yourself is the safest approach.
I found that the production date of a stock car directly affects my wallet. As a budget-conscious person, I always start by checking the door frame nameplate or VIN code location, where the 10th character corresponds to the year—for example, H stands for 2017. Older stock cars may have lower prices but higher maintenance costs, with weaker battery life or more worn brake pads. Last week, I came across a stock car with a production date from three years ago. Although the dealer offered a discount, I chose to pass after calculating the long-term maintenance costs. Remember, checking the date can help you avoid being tricked and save money, which is better spent on fuel.
