How to Determine a Car's Production Date Through the Glass?

[Morgan]

Generally, there is a vehicle identification number (VIN) located below the car's front windshield. The tenth digit of the VIN indicates the production date of the car. While each vehicle's VIN is unique, the production date can always be found within it. The VIN, abbreviated from Vehicle Identification Number, consists of 17 alphanumeric characters and serves as the car's unique identification code upon leaving the factory—essentially acting as the car's 'ID number'. Below is a detailed explanation of the parameters found on car glass: In the lower left corner of the glass, there is a series of symbols and numbers. On the bottom line, there are several small dots followed by a number. For example, take '…4'. Here, '4' represents the year. If the black dots are before the '4', it indicates production in the first half of the year. The calculation formula is '7 minus the number of black dots'. So, 7-3=4, meaning the glass was produced in April 2004. If the black dots are after the '4', it indicates production in the second half of the year, calculated as '13 minus the number of black dots'. For instance, '4…' would mean 13-3=10, indicating the glass was produced in October. By checking the production year on the windshield, we can roughly estimate when the car was manufactured. Typically, the car's production date is later than that of the glass (more detailed date information can actually be found on the car's nameplate, located below the passenger door seam).