How to Read the Date on Used Car Glass?

[DiAbel]

Numbers represent the production year, and dots represent the month. If the dot is before the number, it indicates production in the first half of the year; if the dot is after the number, it indicates production in the second half of the year. In this representation method, the number also represents the year, the dot closest to the number represents the quarter, and the subsequent dots represent which month of that quarter.

[Daryl]

I've been fixing cars for over a decade and know all about reading glass dates. There's a string of codes in the corner of the glass—the numbers represent the year, like '20' means 2020. The small black dots indicate the month. If the dots are before the number, subtract the number of dots from 7—for example, two dots in front means 7-2=5 (May). If the dots are after the number, subtract from 13—like three dots would be 13-3=10 (October). Some cars use square dots instead, but the logic is similar. The key is to check the windshield date—if it's later than the manufacturing date on the door plate, it's definitely been replaced. All glass dates should roughly match; if they differ by more than six months, be wary of it being a salvage vehicle. Bring a flashlight when inspecting—some older cars have worn markings that require close examination.

[VonZoe]

A while ago, I helped a friend pick out a used car and specifically researched the glass dates. Each piece of glass has a code in the bottom left corner, like '8•'. The number 8 represents the year 2018, and the position of the small black dot determines the month. If the dot is on the left side of the number, subtract the number of dots from 7; if it's on the right, subtract from 13. Be careful not to get it backwards. For example, '•5' with one dot on the left of the number means 7-1=6, so it's June. Also, compare it with the vehicle's manufacturing date. If the glass says 2023 but the car's nameplate shows 2021, it's definitely been replaced. A difference of two or three months in the window glass dates is normal, but if the front and rear windshields don't match, that's a problem. I once encountered a case where the front windshield was three months newer, and it turned out to be from a rear-end collision.

[JustinAnn]

I just sold my old car, and the buyer kept staring at the glass date. Actually, it's quite simple: look for the code in the corner of the glass. Usually, the numbers represent the last two digits of the year, and the dots indicate the month. If the dots are before the numbers, subtract the number of dots from 7 to get the month; if they're after, subtract from 13. For example, the number '19' with two dots on the right means 13-2=11, so November. Remember to compare it with the manufacturing date on the door frame—the glass date should be earlier or similar. If one piece of glass has a date significantly later than the others, it's likely been in an accident. When washing the car, take a moment to clean the labels. It's best to check used cars on sunny days, as rain can blur the labels with water marks.

[PeytonFitz]

After being tricked last time when checking a car, I finally learned how to read the glass date. The secret lies in the small characters at the corner of the window: the number represents the last two digits of the year, and the black dots indicate the month. If the dots are on the left side of the number, subtract the number of dots from 7; if they're on the right, subtract from 13. For example, seeing '7..' means the number is on the left with two dots on the right, so 13-2=11th month. The key is to compare it with the vehicle's nameplate—the glass date must be earlier than the car's manufacturing date. The easiest place to check is the glass near the rearview mirror, while the windshield's marking is usually at the bottom right corner. A difference of up to three months between glass dates at different positions is normal, but a newly replaced windshield alone is suspicious. Bringing a magnifying glass is safer, as old car markings can oxidize and become hard to read.

[McKira]

As a seasoned car enthusiast, checking the glass date is a must when inspecting used cars. There are three mainstream marking methods: The simplest is numbers plus small black dots. For example, '20' stands for 2020. If the dots are before the number, subtract the number of dots from 7 to get the month; if the dots are after, subtract from 13. The second method features numbers with dots in the middle, where the total number of dots indicates the month. There's also direct labeling with year and month digits. Pay special attention that the windshield date must be earlier than the chassis plate date; otherwise, it's definitely been replaced. Be wary of major accidents if the glass dates vary by more than six months across the vehicle. Cloudy days offer the best visibility with less glare. After inspection, don't forget to compare the tire dates. Only when the timelines of all vehicle components align can you trust the car's history.