How to locate a car's manufacture date?
This guide shows where to find a vehicle manufacture date and how to confirm it. It covers the physical sticker, VIN checks, photos and scanners, and what to do if the sticker is missing.
Published
Quick facts
- Manufacture date
- Manufacture date printed as MM/YY format
- Sticker location
- Sticker found on driver door jamb
Look for the door jamb sticker
Start at the driver door. The sticker is often inside the open door frame: Sticker found on driver door jamb. That sticker contains the build information and the Manufacture date printed as MM/YY format. Read the sticker directly; the month and year give the month the car was built, not necessarily the model year.
If you can’t read the sticker, take a photo
If paint, grime or lighting hides details, take a clear photo. Use a close-up with even light so letters are legible. A photo lets you zoom to confirm small text and lets a scanner or photo recognition tool read the sticker later. Keep the image file named with the car make, model and year for easy reference.
Use the VIN and vehicle identifier options
If the sticker is missing or unreadable, use the vehicle identifier on the VIN plate. The VIN can help you get the car make, model and year; many VIN decoders report build month or production period. You can enter or scan the VIN with a scanner or enter it into an online decoder to get spec and model information that narrows the build date.
Check dealer or service records and other labels
Owner manuals, service invoices, factory build sheets and some under-hood labels may record the manufacture or build month. Dealers, service departments or the vehicle title/registration sometimes note manufacturing or model details. For older autos, inspect the firewall, trunk area, or glove box for additional labels.
When to use a scanning app or professional help
If you need to verify the manufacture date for resale, repair parts, or to get a precise spec, use a dedicated scanner or a photo recognition tool that reads stickers and VINs. A professional auto inspector or dealer can confirm the Manufacture date printed as MM/YY format when the sticker is damaged or missing.
How Car Identifier can assist
Car Identifier can scan a photo of the sticker or VIN to help confirm the manufacture date and show vehicle spec, make, model and year.
Common questions
- Is the manufacture date the same as the model year?
- No. The Manufacture date printed as MM/YY format is the month and year the vehicle was built. Model year is a separate designation that manufacturers assign and may differ from the build month.
- What if the sticker is missing or unreadable?
- Use the VIN and a VIN decoder or a scanner to get make, model and year information. Check dealer records, service invoices, or other factory labels in the engine bay and trunk. A photo recognition tool or professional inspector can often recover the manufacture date when the sticker is damaged.
- Can I just scan the VIN with my phone?
- Yes. You can take a photo of the VIN or use a scanner app to read it. Many tools will decode the VIN to provide make, model, year and spec information; some also attempt to indicate build time frames to help locate the manufacture date.