Where to Check the Manufacturing Date of a Vehicle?
3 Answers
Vehicle manufacturing dates can be found in the following locations: 1. Below the B-pillar on the passenger side; 2. On the certificate of conformity that comes with the new vehicle, located in the upper right corner; 3. On a paper manufacturing plate affixed to the front windshield near the driver's seat. The vehicle plate is a label that indicates the basic characteristics of the vehicle, including the manufacturer, model, engine power, total weight, load capacity or passenger capacity, manufacturing number, manufacturing date, and manufacturer name. Precautions when inspecting a new vehicle include checking the manufacturing plate to ensure the vehicle's displacement and production date, and looking for signs of tampering or scratches on the plate. If the plate has been altered, extra caution is advised.
I was also quite confused when I bought my last car and didn't know where to find the manufacturing date. Later, I discovered it can be found in many places. The most common location is on the inner side of the door, such as the passenger door frame, where there's a vehicle nameplate with the manufacturing month and year printed in small letters—sometimes you need to get close to see it clearly. Another place is under the hood, where there's a metal tag with the date printed on it. You can also use the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), that 17-digit alphanumeric code in the lower left corner of the windshield. The 10th character represents the year, and you can enter it on websites like the DMV to check the year and month. Additionally, don't forget the owner's manual or the vehicle certificate, which usually records this information. This detail is quite useful, especially for maintenance or resale, as it helps you know the true age of the car and avoid being tricked into spending unnecessary money. You can just glance at it when parking, and if you forget the date, you can always ask the dealership to check the records for you.
Having worked at a dealership for a while, checking a vehicle's manufacturing date is basic work. There are two most common locations: one is the nameplate on the door B-pillar, where the date is directly printed; the other is the VIN code—decoding the 10th character reveals the manufacturing year, and scanning it with a mobile app gives instant results. The manufacturing label in the engine bay is also often visible, but be careful not to confuse it with the maintenance date. This method is simple and quick, even for beginners. The key is that it helps maintain safety—for example, determining whether parts need replacement based on the year, avoiding hazards from outdated components. If there's any doubt, consult a professional technician; their tools provide more accurate checks. Keeping good records can save a lot of hassle in used car transactions.
