How to Read Tyre Manufacturing Date & Check Tyre Age

We’ve highlighted the importance of choosing the right tyre for your vehicle. Be it for your two-wheeler, four-wheeler, or commercial vehicles. Tyres are not calibrated bits of rubber that get you from Point A to Point B. They’re your car’s only contact with the road, the unsung heroes of every safe turn, smooth brake, and highway cruise. 

But here’s the thing: good things don’t last forever. That’s right. Tyres have an age limit.

Old tyres, even if they look fine, can harden, crack, and lose grip faster than you can say “skid mark.” That’s why knowing the tyre manufacturing date (and how to check it) isn’t just trivia for car nerds — it’s an essential part of overall safety. And since they have a shelf life, they also need their fair share of TLC from vehicle owners.

Usually, major tyre manufacturers and regulatory bodies recommend replacing tyres six years (approximately) after purchase. Hence, it’s important for vehicle owners to be cognizant of the date of purchase and deployment of their vehicles’ tyres. They need to be aware of the manufacturing date.

So, whether you’re about to buy a fresh set of MRF tyres, curious about your Apollo tyre manufacturing date, or simply want to figure out the tyre expiry date for your family’s hatchback, this guide’s got you covered. 

Think of the tyre manufacturing date as your tyre’s birthday — the exact week and year it rolled out of the factory. This date isn’t printed in bold letters but is hidden in a code stamped onto the sidewall of the tyre. Globally, this is usually part of the DOT code (Department of Transportation), while in India you’ll also see BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) markings.

So why is the manufacturing date critical? One reason: rubber has an age limit.

While your car may have aged gracefully, your tyres don’t. Knowing your tyre’s year of manufacture means you can decide whether it’s still safe to use, or if it’s time to upgrade before you risk a blowout.

Finding the tyre manufacturing date is easier than locating your TV remote when you need it — if you know where to look:

• Sidewall Scan – Look closely at the side of your tyre; the date code is near the DOT or BIS marking. 
• One Side Only – The code may appear only on one side of the tyre, so don’t be shy about crouching down or turning the tyre to check the inner side. 
• Oval Outline – On many tyres, the date code is inside a small raised oval.
  

(Pro tip: If you can’t find it, your local truck tire shop or dealer will spot it in seconds — they do this all day.)

Understanding the Four-Digit Code

The secret lies in a four-digit number, often called the tyre manufacturing date code. It follows the WWYY format:

• First two digits = week number (01–53) 
• Last two digits = year
  

Example: 1921 means the 19th week of 2021. It’s just as simple.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Identify the DOT or BIS code on the sidewall. 
2. Look at the last four digits — that’s your date. 
3. Decode it — first two digits are the week, last two the year. 
4. Optional: Convert the week into a month to get an even clearer idea.
   

Code	Week	Year	Approx. Month
5018	50	2018	December
1921	19	2021	May
3421	34	2021	August

Here’s the good news: Big brands like MRF, Apollo, CEAT, and Bridgestone all use the same WWYY format for tyre date checks.

• MRF tyre manufacturing date: Code 5018 → 50th week of 2018. 
• Apollo tyre manufacturing date: Code 3421 → 34th week of 2021. 
• CEAT and Bridgestone tyre manufacturing date: Same decoding rules apply.
  

The characters before the date — the tyre serial number, plant code, or batch code — vary by brand and tell the manufacturer where and how the tyre was made. You don’t need them to figure out the manufacturing week/year.

Every tyre comes with a longer code before the four-digit date. This section includes:

• Plant code – Identifies the factory location. 
• Production line code – Denotes its hierarchy in the production line. 
• Shift code – Which shift made it.
  

These are mostly for the manufacturer’s records, recalls, and quality checks — but they’re fun to decode if you like the “CSI: Tyre Division” vibe.

Tyres don’t come with an exact tyre expiry date, but most brands and safety experts recommend replacement around six years from manufacture. With perfect storage, some say you can stretch to ten years, but why risk it?

Signs your tyre needs replacing:

• Visible cracks on the sidewall. 
• Tread worn below 1.6mm. 
• Frequent punctures. 
• Bulges or blisters.
  

Remember: It’s about tyre age and condition. Even if the tread looks fine, a tyre past its safe age limit is like milk past its use-by date — you could consume it, but you might regret it.

Tyres don’t all age at the same pace. Things that speed up their decline include:

• Constant sunlight exposure. 
• Over-inflation or under-inflation. 
• Poor road conditions. 
• Hard braking and aggressive cornering. 
• Overloading your vehicle. 
• Storing tyres in hot, humid places.
  

If you’re running commercial tyres or lorry tyres, remember they endure heavier loads and harsher conditions, so be extra vigilant with checks.

Want to make your tyres last? Follow these habits:

• Maintain correct tyre pressure. 
• Rotate tyres every 5,000–8,000 km. 
• Inspect for cuts, cracks, and bulges. 
• Avoid overloading. 
• Store unused tyres in cool, dry, dark conditions.
  

If in doubt, ask your local dealer to double-check your tyre’s condition and tyre year check for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I check MRF tyre manufacturing date?

Checking the MRF tyre manufacturing date is simple — MRF follows the same WWYY (Week–Year) format as other major brands. Locate the BIS code (for tyres sold in India) or the DOT code (if exported) on the sidewall. 

Also, the last four digits tell you the week and year of manufacture. E.g., if your code ends with 5020, it means your tyre was manufactured in the 50th week of 2020.

2. How do I find the manufacturing year on bike tyres?

Whether it’s a bike, scooter, or sports motorcycle, the process is the same as with cars. Look on the sidewall for the BIS/DOT marking, then read the last four digits.

3. What is the expiry date of car tyres?

The industry rule of thumb is six years from the manufacturing date for optimal safety and performance, as recommended by most brands.

4. Can old tyres be used if unused?

Technically yes, but it’s risky.

 Even unused tyres stored in poor conditions — exposed to sunlight, moisture, or extreme heat — degrade. Rubber oxidation, micro-cracking, and loss of flexibility all happen with age. Best to replace them every six years as per guidelines.

5. How do I check tyre serial number?

The tyre serial number is part of the full BIS/DOT code stamped on the sidewall. It usually starts with a plant code, followed by production line and batch codes, then ending with the four-digit manufacturing date. For example: BIS Y2 3H 1921 — “1921” tells you the week and year, while the rest identifies the factory and production details. 

6. What’s the difference between tyre manufacturing date and tyre production date code?

They’re the same thing. “Tyre manufacturing date code,” “production date code,” and “date of manufacture” all refer to the four-digit number in the WWYY format. The only variation you might see is the presence of other letters and numbers before it, which are factory-specific identifiers.

7. Does brand matter when reading the code?

Not for the date — all major tyre brands, whether MRF, Apollo, CEAT, Bridgestone, or Michelin, use the same WWYY date format. What changes is the prefix before the date, which tells you the plant and batch. So once you know the WWYY trick, you can read the date on any brand without memorising extra rules.

8. Why is my tyre date only three digits?

If your tyre date code has only three digits, it’s probably made before 2000. Older tyres used a three-digit system where the first two digits were the week and the last was the year. These tyres are now well past safe use — if you spot one, it belongs in the recycling pile, not on your vehicle.

Conclusion

Checking your tyre manufacturing date is one of those small tasks that can make a big difference in road safety. Whether you’re buying new bus tyres, replacing your lorry tyre, or just curious about your car’s tyre expiry date, decoding the WWYY format is quick, easy, and worth the two minutes it takes.

For more on bike, car, and commercial tyres; keep up to date with Ecozaar.