How to Check the Production Date of Used Car Headlights?
2 Answers
Car headlight production dates are indicated on the lamp's seal. Here are specific details about automotive headlights: 1. Introduction: Automotive headlights, also known as vehicle front lights or LED daytime running lights, serve as the 'eyes' of a car. They not only affect the owner's external image but are also crucial for safe driving at night or under adverse weather conditions. 2. Taillights: Installed at the rear of the vehicle, taillights typically feature red as the main color. They primarily include red lights for warning following vehicles and amber lights for turn signals, along with auxiliary reverse lights. Based on design, they can be categorized into independent, combined, or composite taillights.
When checking the production dates of used car headlights, I start with the basics: pop the hood and look for small numeric or alphanumeric codes on the sides or bottom of the headlight housing. Codes like '23' typically indicate 2023 production, while 'B22' might mean the 2nd week of 2022. I use my phone's flashlight for better visibility—these stamps can be hidden on labels or molded into the plastic. Large discrepancies between lights (e.g., left marked 2021 vs. right 2023) suggest possible replacements, raising red flags about accident history. Pro tip: also inspect body panel gaps and paint consistency for a holistic assessment—it helps avoid pitfalls when buying used. Having inspected multiple cars, I’ve found date-matched OEM lights are more trustworthy; otherwise, always ask sellers for repair records.
