Where to Check the Production Date of a Car?
2 Answers
Locations to check the production date of a car: 1. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), also known as the chassis number, located below the front windshield. The 10th digit of the VIN indicates the production date of the car; 2. The engine compartment's nameplate, usually an aluminum plate inside the engine compartment, which displays the car's serial number, engine displacement, model, brand, and specific production date; 3. The vehicle's certificate of conformity provided by the manufacturer. The VIN consists of 17 characters, with the 10th digit from the left representing the production time, allowing for an accurate determination of the car's age. The VIN may contain numbers or letters, and the representation of the year varies by country or region.
Last time I helped a friend check out a car, I realized how crucial this is. To find the manufacturing date of a car, you mainly need to look at these spots. The most straightforward is the small nameplate on the door frame—open the passenger door, and the exact month and year are printed on the black label where the door frame connects to the body. Also, the VIN number in the lower left corner of the windshield holds a clue—the 10th letter represents the year, for example, L stands for 2020, M for 2021. For imported cars, there’s also a metal nameplate hidden in the engine compartment. I remember once at a used car market, I noticed the date on the nameplate didn’t match the year from the VIN, and I immediately knew something was off with that car. Checking the date is really key—for new cars, it helps avoid buying old stock, and for used cars, it prevents getting a refurbished accident vehicle.
