Where is the vehicle production date located?
2 Answers
Vehicle production date can be found on the nameplate beneath the front windshield and in the engine compartment. The 10th digit of the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) indicates the production year. Each vehicle has a unique VIN, where the 10th digit '5' represents production year 2005, 'A' indicates 2010, 'B' means 2011, and so on. The nameplate displays fundamental vehicle specifications including manufacturer, model, engine power, gross weight, load capacity, passenger capacity, serial number, production date, and manufacturer name. While paper nameplates show exact production dates (year/month/day), metal nameplates only display year/month and cannot be used as official production dates.
I think finding a car's production date is quite simple, mainly by looking at the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), usually located at the lower left corner of the windshield or on the door edge. The 10th digit of the VIN indicates the year, for example, 'A' stands for 2010, 'B' for 2011, and so on, corresponding to letters or numbers. Another common location is the nameplate, found on the driver's side door pillar or under the hood, which directly prints the production month and year. In terms of documents, the vehicle registration certificate, warranty card, or owner's manual also mark the date. Knowing this is particularly important, especially when buying used cars, as it helps avoid accident vehicles or aging parts, and ensures more accurate part matching. Last time, I almost got tricked when checking a car—it turned out to be from 2008, while the seller falsely claimed it was from 2015, saving me a lot of money. I recommend regularly checking the VIN to ensure the car's condition is reliable.
