Build Date (Production Date)

It is shown on the manufacturer plate, a door-frame label or can be decoded by a dealer from the VIN. Parts can change within one model year, so the build date helps order the right ones. Tyres, seatbelts and glass carry their own date marks. Some recall campaigns apply only to cars built between certain dates.

Factories record the completion date of each VIN in their production database.

Quote the VIN and build date when ordering parts to avoid getting the wrong version. A large gap between build and first registration can mean long storage, which affects tyres and battery.