Where is the vehicle manufacturing date located?
3 Answers
The location of the vehicle manufacturing date is as follows: Nameplate: Whether it's a new or used car, every vehicle has a nameplate indicating the manufacturing date, which clearly marks the production date of the car. Glass dots: The number represents the year, for example, 7 stands for 2017. The month is determined by the dots. If the dots are after the number, it indicates the second half of the year, and the month is calculated by subtracting the number of dots from 13. If the dots are before the number, subtract the number of dots from 7 to get the corresponding month. VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): The production date of the car can also be determined through the car's VIN.
My friends often ask me where to find the manufacturing date of a car. Actually, the most common place is the vehicle nameplate on the inner side of the passenger door frame, which usually displays the production year, month, and day. I remember my old car had the exact date printed on that little label—super convenient, just reach out and you can see it. Sometimes there's also a small plate in the engine compartment, but you'd need to pop the hood. The manufacturing date is especially important for used car transactions because it determines the car's age and value, and sometimes even ties into the warranty period. I recommend everyone check it when buying a car to avoid getting stuck with an old stock vehicle. Nowadays, the VIN code in newer models can also reveal the date, and there’s often a barcode in the corner of the dashboard. Overall, you don’t need to spend much time—just check the nameplate for the most reliable info.
I usually handle it right on my phone by using a car VIN lookup app to scan the VIN code at the bottom left of the windshield. The results display the manufacturing year and month, with some apps even decoding detailed specs. The production date is embedded in the 10th character of the VIN—for instance, the letter 'D' stands for 2013. This digital tool saves tons of time and effort. It’s also tied to safety recalls, since older cars are more prone to issues, so I check regularly to update software or inspect spare parts. Remember, the new car registration documents also print the date, and you can find a backup in the maintenance manual. No need to keep running to the dealership—just fire up the app. Technology really simplifies every aspect of life.
