What are the methods to identify a car's production date?
2 Answers
There are several methods to identify a car's production date: 1. Check the vehicle's factory nameplate. Every car has a nameplate embedded on it when it leaves the factory. 2. Look at the black characters in the lower right corner of the front windshield, which include the production date. 3. The production date can also be checked through the car tires. The production date on the original tires is the same as the car's production date. The vehicle identification number (VIN) also contains the production date, along with information such as the manufacturer, model year, vehicle type, body style, engine code, and assembly location. The VIN consists of three parts: the first part is the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), the second part is the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS), and the third part is the Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS).
Finding a car's production date is quite common. I usually start by checking the nameplate on the door frame—most models have a label on the driver's side door jamb that directly states the manufacturing year and month, which is straightforward. If the label is missing or faded, then I look up the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), which can be found at the lower-left corner of the windshield or under the steering wheel. The 10th character of the VIN indicates the year—for example, the number 8 stands for 2018, and the letter G represents 2016. If checking documents, the owner's manual or purchase invoice records the exact date, especially when buying a used car. I compare the date with the mileage to avoid being scammed. For routine car maintenance, the production date helps assess part aging, such as battery or tire lifespan. In short, from easiest to hardest: first check the label, then use a VIN decoder if needed—many free online tools allow you to input the VIN for details.
