Where to Check the Production Date of a Car?
3 Answers
The production date of a car can be checked in three places: the VIN on the front windshield, the engine's nameplate, and the car's manual. Generally, the car's manual clearly states the production date, so you can look carefully and then cross-check it with the nameplate on the car body to see if they match. The nameplate in the engine compartment is usually located inside the engine bay and is typically made of aluminum, displaying the car's serial number, engine displacement, model, brand, and importantly, the specific production date. Most nameplates in the market are located inside the engine compartment, but some models have them on the side of the passenger door. The 10th digit of the VIN represents the car's production date. Each vehicle has a unique VIN, but the production date can always be found in it.
I've been in the automotive circle for quite a while and often help friends check vehicle manufacturing dates. The most common method is to look for the VIN code, which can be found on a sticker at the lower left corner of the windshield or on the passenger door frame. The 10th digit of the VIN represents the year—for example, L stands for 1990? Wait, no, for vehicles after 2020, letters like N might indicate 2022. You can also check the vehicle's nameplate, usually located on the inner wall of the engine compartment or the driver's door side, which clearly states the production month and year. Additionally, the vehicle ownership certificate or the first page of the user manual might also record the date. I recommend that car owners note this information, as it directly affects warranty periods and maintenance schedules. If the VIN is hard to read, visiting a dealer to scan it with professional equipment is the most reliable option.
I've driven quite a few cars, and finding the manufacturing date isn't actually difficult. Start with the label on the passenger side door frame - that's where the manufacturing month/year is often posted. Then check the VIN code; you can decode it using a mobile app or website, for example, the 10th character indicates the year. The vehicle registration documents are also a good source - just scan through them and you'll know. I think it's good to pay attention to these details regularly, so when selling the car, you can accurately report its age and avoid buyer skepticism. Don't forget to use the correct code chart when decoding to prevent guessing the wrong year.
