Tire DOT Date Code on a Used Car: How to Read Tire Age

Read the last four digits of the DOT code on the tire sidewall: the first two are the week and the last two are the year the tire was made, so 2219 means the 22nd week of 2019. On a used car, that tells you whether the tires are old even when the tread looks fine, which matters because rubber ages with time as well as miles.

Where to find the code

Every tire sold in the U.S. carries a Tire Identification Number that starts with the letters DOT. It is molded into the sidewall, usually near the rim. The full code can be printed on only one side, so if you see a short code ending in letters, look on the inner sidewall. A flashlight and a phone camera help, especially on a car parked against a curb.

Tires made from 2000 on use the four-digit week and year format. Older tires used three digits, which is a sign the tire is far past its useful life anyway.

Why tire age matters

Tires harden and crack as they age, from heat, sunlight and ozone. A tire can have plenty of tread and still be old enough to fail, which is common on low-mileage used cars, garage queens and spares. NHTSA's tire safety page covers aging, pressure and tread. Many vehicle and tire makers recommend replacing tires at somewhere between six and ten years old regardless of tread, so check the owner's manual for the car you are buying.

What the date code tells you about the car

• Four matching tires with a recent date suggest a recent replacement. Ask for the receipt and compare the date with the mileage.
• Tires older than the car's last few years of use on a low-mile car mean you should budget for a new set.
• Mismatched dates or brands across one axle can point to a flat, a curb strike or a cheap fix before sale.
• A brand-new set on a high-mileage car can be care, or it can be cover for an alignment problem. Check wear on the old tires if the seller kept them, and look at the inner edges of the new ones.

Our guide to whether CARFAX shows tire replacement explains when a shop record shows up and when it does not. A tire shop visit may appear as a service event, but the report will not give you the date code.

Check the tires for recalls

Tires get recalled too, and tire recalls are tied to the Tire Identification Number, not the car's VIN. NHTSA lets you search tire recalls by brand and TIN. A car's VIN recall check will not catch a recalled tire someone installed later. Our NHTSA recall check guide covers the vehicle side, and the NHTSA recall site has the tire search as well.

Other quick tire checks

• Tread depth: use a gauge or the penny test, and look at wear across the whole tread.
• Cracks in the sidewall or between tread blocks: a sign of age or dry rot.
• Bulges or bubbles: a sign of internal damage, often from a pothole.
• Uneven wear: points to alignment, suspension or pressure problems.
• The spare: it is often the oldest tire on the car and the one nobody checks.

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association has consumer guidance on tire care and inspection if you want more detail.

Pressure and the TPMS light

Check the pressure on all four tires against the placard in the driver door jamb, not the number on the sidewall, which is a maximum. Low pressure wears tires faster and costs fuel; FuelEconomy.gov notes that keeping tires at the right pressure helps mileage. If the tire pressure warning light is on, ask why. A dead TPMS sensor is a small repair, but a slow leak from a nail or a bent wheel is worth knowing about before you pay. A car that sat for months can also develop flat spots that cause a vibration at highway speed, so drive it long enough to feel for one. Ask whether the wheels are original too, since aftermarket wheels can change ride, clearance and sensor fit.

Use it in the deal

A set of tires is a real cost. If the date codes show old rubber, use that in your offer, the same way you would use worn brakes. Add it to the list from your pre-purchase inspection, and pair it with a history report that shows accidents, title brands and the car's service visits.

What the report costs

As of early November 2026 a CARFAX bought direct usually costs around $44.99, and AutoCheck sits a little lower. We are a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller, not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck or Experian. Our guest price has been about $5.50 a report, about $4.50 for members, and about $6.75 for a CARFAX and AutoCheck bundle. Confirm the price at checkout, since it can change.

Sources

• NHTSA tire safety
• NHTSA recalls
• USTMA