Spot 10 Year Old Tyres: Read the Tyre Date Code For Drivers
Modern tyre date codes are four digits moulded into the sidewall: the first two show the production week, the last two show the year. For example, 2422 means the tyre was made in the 24th week of a recent year. Knowing this lets you judge a tyre’s real age rather than guessing from how worn it looks, which matters because rubber degrades over time regardless of tread remaining.
TL;DR:
- Tyres made before 2000 often use a three-digit code indicating week and last digit of the year, making age estimation less precise and more uncertain.
- Check the full DOT/TIN code on the inward sidewall if not visible externally, using a mirror or phone to avoid safety risks.
- Manufacturers generally advise retiring tyres around 10 years old due to rubber deterioration, regardless of tread depth, with some brands recommending shorter periods.
- Regularly measure tread depth, inspect sidewalls for damage, and record manufacture dates to ensure safe driving and timing for replacements.
- Always confirm tyre age before purchasing new or replacement tyres, especially for stock or spare units stored long-term, to prevent aging-related failures.
Table of Contents
- How to read the modern DOT/TIN four-digit date code
- Reading older codes from before 2000
- Where to find the code and how to check it safely
- How old is too old: manufacturer guidance and practical rules
- What to do next: check, store and replace
- Why checking the date code is a quick safety habit
- How Treadivo helps you act on what you find
- FAQ
- Sources
How to read the modern DOT/TIN four-digit date code
Every tyre carries a Tyre Identification Number (TIN), sometimes called a DOT code, stamped into the sidewall. The code starts with the letters “DOT” followed by a string of letters and numbers for the manufacturing plant, tyre size and brand-specific details. The date code is the final set of digits in that string, and it is the only part you need for working out age.
The format is simple once you know it: the first two digits are the production week, running from 01 to 53, and the last two digits are the year. A code reading 0517 means the fifth week of 2017. A code reading 3521 means the thirty-fifth week of 2021. Week 53 appears occasionally, since some years have a partial 53rd week depending on how the calendar falls, and it is not an error.
This four-digit format applies to every tyre made from 2000 onward, which covers almost every tyre on the road today.
- Find the full code starting with “DOT” on the sidewall.
- Read the last four digits only: ignore letters and earlier numbers.
- The first two digits are the week, the last two are the year.
- A code like 2422 means week 24 of 2022.
Reading older codes from before 2000
Tyres made before 2000 use a three-digit date code instead of four, and the system is less precise. The first two digits still indicate the production week, but the third digit gives only the last digit of the year. Through the 1990s, manufacturers sometimes added a small triangle after the code to signal that the decade was the 1990s rather than the 1980s.
A code reading 148 could mean the first week of 1988 or 1998, depending on whether the triangle marker is present, so some guesswork is unavoidable. Tyres made before 1980 may carry no readable date code at all.
- A three-digit code gives week plus a single year digit.
- A triangle marker after the code usually points to the 1990s.
- Any tyre with a three-digit code is decades old and unsafe to use, regardless of tread.
Where to find the code and how to check it safely
The full Tyre Identification Number is legally required on only one sidewall, so the side facing out when the tyre is fitted may show just a partial “DOT” stamp with no trailing date digits. If that happens, the complete code is likely on the inward-facing sidewall, which is harder to see without jacking up the car or using a mirror.
Other markings nearby can help you confirm you are looking at the right spot: the tyre size (such as 215/55R17), the load index, and the speed rating all sit close to the TIN but are separate codes, so don’t mistake them for the date.
- Park on level ground and use a torch or phone light to check the visible sidewall first.
- If the date code is missing or incomplete, check the inner sidewall using a mirror or your phone’s camera.
- If you still can’t locate it safely, have a tyre professional check it during a routine inspection.
Pro Tip: Photograph the full TIN string with your phone so you have a permanent record without needing to crouch and squint at the tyre every time.
How old is too old: manufacturer guidance and practical rules
There’s no single legal expiry date stamped on a tyre, but age-based retirement is still a real safety consideration separate from tread wear. Many manufacturers recommend retiring tyres around 10 years from their date of manufacture, because rubber compounds harden and crack with age even if the tyre has barely been driven on.
That 10-year guideline is a widely cited manufacturer recommendation, not a universal rule, so checking your own vehicle’s documentation matters. Some vehicle makers set shorter limits, and caravan or trailer tyres often carry more conservative advice because they tend to sit idle between trips, which accelerates uneven ageing. Your owner’s manual or the tyre placard on the driver’s door jamb is the first place to check for vehicle-specific guidance.
It’s worth separating two different clocks. Tread-based replacement is about how much rubber is left and whether the tyre still grips safely. Age-based replacement is about how brittle the compound has become, which tread depth alone won’t tell you. A tyre with plenty of tread can still be unsafe if it’s old enough to have developed internal cracking or lost elasticity.
This is also why a tyre’s life starts at manufacture, not at purchase. A tyre sitting in a warehouse for two or three years before it’s sold is already partway through its usable life, which is one reason to ask about manufacture dates even on tyres marketed as new stock.
What to do next: check, store and replace
Once you know how to read the code, the next step is turning that into a routine check rather than a one-off exercise.
- Read the date code on all four tyres, plus the spare if you have one.
- Measure tread depth at several points across each tyre, not just the centre.
- Inspect sidewalls for cracking, bulging or uneven wear, which often shows up before tread loss does.
- Check tyre pressures, since underinflation accelerates both wear and heat-related ageing.
If you’re storing a spare or unused tyre, keep it somewhere cool, shaded and away from ozone sources like running motors, since heat and UV exposure speed up rubber degradation. A spare that’s been sitting for years can be effectively as old as the tyres it’s meant to replace.
When shopping for replacements, ask about the manufacture date before buying rather than assuming “new” means recently made. If you want a closer look at tread condition specifically, a step-by-step tread depth guide walks through the process in more detail.
Pro Tip: Check the date code every time you rotate your tyres, since it takes seconds and you’re already looking at the sidewalls anyway.
Why checking the date code is a quick safety habit
Most drivers check tread depth and call it done, but tread tells you nothing about how brittle the rubber underneath has become. A tyre can look fine and still be a decade old. Reading the date code takes less time than checking your tyre pressure, and it catches a failure mode that a visual glance simply misses. Make it part of your next service, not an afterthought.
— Areesh
How Treadivo helps you act on what you find
Once you’ve decoded the date and decided a tyre needs retiring, the next question is finding the right replacement without the usual back-and-forth. We provide a platform to search by car model or tyre size, see pricing upfront, and book a local fitter in one process.
- Search by registration, model or tyre size to skip manual size lookups.
- See pricing details before you commit.
- Use an AI Tread Check tool if you want a second opinion on wear before replacing.
- Preview tyres on your own car using augmented reality technology.
- Get quick fitting confirmation from a local partner.
If you’ve found an old date code and want to compare options, browse tyres by size and fitment and book your fitting in minutes.
FAQ
Are 7-year-old tyres too old?
A tyre isn’t automatically unsafe at a specific age, but it is approaching the age range where many manufacturers start recommending closer inspection. Check for sidewall cracking and have it assessed by a professional, since condition at this age varies with storage and use.
How do you read a tyre date code?
Find the DOT code on the sidewall and read the last four digits: the first two are the production week, the last two are the year. For example, 2422 means the tyre was made in the 24th week of a recent year.
Are 10-year-old tyres still okay?
Many manufacturers recommend retiring tyres around 10 years from their manufacture date, regardless of remaining tread, because the rubber compound degrades with age. Always check your vehicle’s owner manual too, since some manufacturers set shorter limits.
Do tyres expire after a set number of years?
There’s no single fixed legal expiry date for tyres, but age-related degradation is real and many manufacturers point to roughly 10 years as a practical retirement guide. Checking the manufacture date against your vehicle manufacturer’s own guidance gives a more reliable answer than relying on tread wear alone.
Sources
- Tyre markings explained: How to read a tyre? | Michelin AU
- Do I need to know how to check tyre date of manufacture | MICHELIN