How to Check the Production Date of Your Car?
2 Answers
Every car has a nameplate indicating the production date. Generally, there are two nameplates: one in the engine compartment and another on the side of the driver's door. The production date of the car is clearly marked on these nameplates. In addition, here are three other methods to check the production date of your car: 1. Check the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) under the windshield: The 10th character of the VIN represents the production date, and each car has a unique VIN. 2. The vehicle identification code consists of 17 characters, and the 10th character from the left indicates the production time, allowing you to more accurately determine the car's age. 3. Look at the car's VIN code: Each VIN code represents a unique car and is often referred to as the vehicle identification number or chassis number. The VIN code is located under the front windshield, and its 10th character indicates the production date of the car.
I remember when I first looked for a car's production date, the salesperson taught me to check the metal plate on the inside of the passenger door frame. Open the door and squat down, and you'll see the production year and month there. Some cars also have a second plate attached to the firewall in the engine compartment. If these two spots are blocked, the simplest way is to take a photo of the VIN—the 17-digit number at the bottom left corner of the windshield. The tenth letter corresponds to the year. For example, 2023 is P, and 2024 is R. You can decode it by looking up an online coding table. However, the most accurate method is to check the factory certificate tucked in the vehicle manual, which specifies the exact date down to the day. For used cars, it's advisable to verify the date on the registration certificate to prevent tampering with the plate.
