Where to Check the Vehicle Production Date?
4 Answers
There are three ways to check the vehicle production date: 1. The production date is located below the B-pillar on the passenger side, visible upon opening the door, but this plate only specifies the year and month. 2. The certificate of conformity that comes with the new vehicle, located in the upper right corner of the certificate, where the production date is marked and can be specified to the exact day, month, and year. 3. The vehicle's chassis number, like an ID card, contains the production date. The chassis number, also known as the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), is a set of seventeen letters and numbers used to represent vehicle information. The tenth letter or number in the chassis number indicates the vehicle's production date, with the year code repeating every 30 years.
I remember the first time I helped a friend check a used car, I specifically researched the production date. The most straightforward way is to look for a nameplate on the door frame of the passenger side, which indicates the exact year and month. Some cars also have the date engraved on an aluminum plate in the engine compartment. If the nameplate is unclear, check the 17-digit VIN code at the bottom of the windshield—the 10th letter represents the year, for example, 'L' stands for 2020. Additionally, the vehicle conformity certificate and purchase invoice will definitely state the date, and the dealership's system can also retrieve the registration records. A key reminder for everyone: don’t confuse the production date with the registration date, and pay special attention to fluid aging issues for cars that have been in stock for over six months.
With over a decade of car repair experience, I can tell you that production dates are commonly found in three locations. First, check the factory nameplate on the B-pillar of the driver's seat—just crouch down to see it. Second, look for stamped markings on steel plates near the aluminum VIN plate in the engine compartment; you'll need a flashlight for clear visibility. Third, refer to the vehicle qualification certificate in the new car document package—the first page lists the production batch date down to the day. Don't overlook tire and glass codes: tires have a four-digit DOT code on the sidewall (last two digits indicate the year), while the dot matrix pattern in glass corners represents the production week. If the vehicle's date is significantly later than its components, it may indicate accident repairs with part replacements. For absolute accuracy, I recommend noting the VIN and contacting the brand's customer service hotline directly.
When I picked up the new car, the salesperson taught me an easy way to check the production date. Just look at the label on the door frame of the passenger seat—open the door and bend down to see the manufacturing year and month. The date on the copy of the conformity certificate is even more specific, so remember to compare it when picking up the car. You can also download the brand's app on your phone, enter the VIN code to check production details, or find it in the car's system settings. A friend who bought a parallel import car from an auto trader found the nameplate in the spare tire well. Brand-new cars still have the plastic wrap on the seats, but be cautious about battery drain if the car is too old. If it's over a year old, the coolant needs to be replaced.
