How to Determine the Production Year of a Car?
3 Answers
About the methods to determine the production year of a car: You can check the production year of a car by looking at its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Additional information about VIN: 1. Every vehicle has its own Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is equivalent to the car's ID number. 2. The VIN consists of 17 characters, commonly known as the seventeen-digit code, usually marked on the car's dashboard near the windshield pillar and on the vehicle's structural components. 3. The VIN is divided into three parts: the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) (digits 1-3), the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) (digits 4-9), and the Vehicle Indicator Section (VIS) (digits 10-17). It contains information about the vehicle's manufacturer, year, model, body type and code, engine code, assembly location, etc.
I often help friends look up vehicle information. I remember the production year of a car can be identified from the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is a long string of numbers located at the lower left corner of the windshield or on the driver's side door frame. For example, the 10th digit in a 17-digit VIN represents the year, such as 'A' for 2010 and 'L' for 2020. There are many free online decoding websites where you can enter the VIN to check the year. The year affects insurance rates and the value of a used car, and parts for older vehicles are harder to find. I recommend confirming the year when buying a car to avoid purchasing an older model that exceeds emission standards. I usually use a mobile app to scan the VIN, and it only takes a few minutes—super convenient.
For ordinary drivers like me, the easiest way is to check the vehicle license or registration certificate issued by the DMV, which clearly lists the manufacturing year. If you've lost these documents, you can inspect the manufacturer's plate in the engine compartment, which shows the production date. The year determines the frequency of annual inspections, for example, new cars are exempt from inspection for the first few years. Keeping vehicle documents safe is crucial. I have a habit of taking photos of my vehicle license and saving them on my phone, so I can check the year anytime to prevent unexpected issues.
