How to Check Tyre Manufacturing Dates Before Buying

You can usually identify when a tyre was manufactured by checking the date code moulded into its sidewall.

On tyres using the familiar four-digit date format, the code indicates the week and year of manufacture.

For example: 2424 = Week 24 of 2024

That doesn't mean the tyre was purchased, fitted or first used in week 24. It tells you when it was manufactured.

Checking the manufacturing date can be useful when buying tyres, particularly if you're comparing older stock, unused tyres or tyres from an unfamiliar seller.

But the date code shouldn't be used on its own to decide whether a tyre is good or bad.

Where Is the Tyre Manufacturing Date?

Look at the information moulded into the tyre's sidewall.

The manufacturing date appears as part of the tyre's identification markings (often following the letters "DOT").

You're looking for a four-digit date code representing the production week and year.

For example:1825 means:

• 18 = 18th week
• 25 = 2025

So the tyre was manufactured during week 18 of 2025. Learn how to identify every stamped code with our complete guide on how to read a tyre sidewall.

How Do You Read a Tyre Date Code?

The format is straightforward.

• Example: 3525 → 35 = week 35, 25 = 2025
• Example: 0824 → 08 = week 8, 24 = 2024
• Example: 5123 → 51 = week 51, 23 = 2023

The first two digits represent the week. The final two represent the year.

Does the Date Code Show When the Tyre Was Bought?

No. This is one of the most important distinctions.

A tyre may be: manufactured → stored → distributed → sold → fitted at different points in time.

The manufacturing date tells you when the tyre was produced. It doesn't tell you:

• when the retailer received it
• when you bought it
• when it was fitted
• how many miles it has covered

For an unused tyre, mileage could still be zero even though it wasn't manufactured recently.

Does a Tyre Have to Be Manufactured in the Same Year You Buy It?

Not necessarily.

Tyres are manufactured, distributed and stored before reaching customers. A tyre doesn't automatically become unsuitable simply because it wasn't produced in the current calendar year.

For example, buying a tyre in 2026 doesn't automatically mean it must carry a 2026 manufacturing date.

The relevant questions include:

• How old is it?
• How has it been stored?
• What condition is it in?
• What does the manufacturer recommend?
• Is it appropriate for your vehicle?

Date is useful information. It isn't the complete assessment.

Is an Older Unused Tyre Still New?

This is where terminology can become confusing.

A tyre can be unused without being recently manufactured.

Imagine two tyres:

• Tyre A: Manufactured three months ago, never fitted
• Tyre B: Manufactured several years ago, never fitted

Both may technically be unused. But they're not the same age.

That's why checking the date code can be useful when buying tyres that have been stored for a significant period.

Does Tyre Rubber Age Even If the Tyre Isn't Used?

Tyres can change as they age even when they aren't accumulating road mileage.

However, ageing isn't determined by the manufacturing date alone. Factors can include:

• storage conditions
• temperature
• exposure to sunlight and UV rays
• environmental conditions
• tyre construction
• manufacturer guidance

This is why an arbitrary statement such as "any tyre older than X years is bad" can be misleading without context. Learn best practices for keeping rubber preserved in our guide on how to store tyres between seasons.

Is a Two-Year-Old Unused Tyre Bad?

You shouldn't decide that solely from the date code.

A tyre manufactured two years ago isn't automatically defective, unsafe or unsuitable.

You would also want to consider:

• storage history
• visible condition
• manufacturer guidance
• seller reputation
• intended use

Likewise, a recently manufactured tyre isn't guaranteed to remain in perfect condition if it has been stored or handled badly. Age is one factor; condition matters too.

Is a Three-Year-Old Unused Tyre Safe?

Again, the manufacturing date alone isn't enough to provide a universal yes or no.

The question should be: What is the tyre's age, condition, storage history and manufacturer guidance?

If you're being offered older unused stock, ask the retailer for information rather than relying solely on the four-digit date.

Should You Ask for the Manufacturing Date Before Buying Tyres Online?

You can ask, particularly if tyre age matters to your purchase decision.

However, a retailer may hold multiple units of the same tyre model from different production batches. That can make it difficult to guarantee the exact manufacturing week of the particular tyre you'll receive before the stock is physically selected.

If the manufacturing date is important to you, ask the retailer what information they can provide before placing the order. Learn how transparent online packages work in what is included when you buy tyres online.

Why Might Identical Tyres Have Different Date Codes?

Because they may have been manufactured in different production batches.

Imagine a retailer stocks 20 examples of the same tyre: 225/45 R17 Brand X Model Y

Some may have been manufactured in one month and others later. The brand, model, size, load rating, and speed rating could be identical while the manufacturing dates differ.

That's normal for inventory moving through a supply chain.

Is the Manufacturing Date the Same as the Tyre's Expiry Date?

No. Don't read the four-digit manufacturing code as an expiry date.

For example, 1525 means the tyre was manufactured in week 15 of 2025. It does not mean:

• it expires in a particular year
• it must be replaced after a fixed number of years
• its remaining life can be calculated precisely from that code

Tyre replacement decisions should consider physical condition, tread depth, use, and manufacturer recommendations. Check your tread condition in seconds using our 20p tyre test guide and review tyre tread depth legal requirements.

Do Tyres Have an Expiry Date?

It's better not to think of road tyres like food products with a simple printed expiry date.

Tyre ageing is more complicated. A tyre's useful service life can be influenced by:

• storage before use
• mileage
• inflation pressure
• load carried
• heat cycles
• road conditions
• impact damage
• sunlight and environmental exposure
• vehicle maintenance

Manufacturer recommendations can also differ. For that reason, avoid applying one universal age rule to every tyre from every manufacturer. Learn about typical lifespans in how long do tyres last and how many miles do tyres last in the UK.

Manufacturing Age vs Time in Service

These are different. Consider this example:

• Tyre A: Manufactured 2023, fitted 2023, driven 30,000 miles
• Tyre B: Manufactured 2023, fitted 2026, driven 0 miles before fitting

They have the same manufacturing year. But their history is completely different.

Tyre A has experienced years of road use, heat cycles, heavy loads, impacts, weather and mileage. Tyre B has spent that time in storage. That doesn't automatically make Tyre B suitable or unsuitable, but it demonstrates why the manufacturing date doesn't tell the whole story.

Does Storage Matter?

Yes. Storage conditions can influence tyre ageing and condition.

Tyres awaiting sale should be stored appropriately rather than exposed unnecessarily to damaging environmental conditions. When considering older unused stock, the storage history becomes particularly relevant.

A date code can tell you when the tyre was made; it can't tell you how it was stored afterwards.

Can You Tell How a Tyre Was Stored From the Sidewall?

No. The manufacturing code won't tell you whether the tyre spent its life:

• inside a temperature-controlled professional warehouse
• exposed to direct sunlight and UV radiation
• near ozone-generating electrical equipment
• stacked incorrectly under excessive weight

This is one reason buying from a reputable tyre supplier matters.

What Else Should You Check Besides the Date?

When buying tyres, manufacturing date should sit much lower on the checklist than fundamental vehicle compatibility requirements.

Start with:

Tyre Size

Confirm width, profile, and rim diameter (e.g., 205/55 R16). You can view compatible specifications across multiple brands on our tyre sizes page.

Load Index

The tyre needs to meet the appropriate load requirements for the vehicle.

Speed Rating

Check the required speed classification for your vehicle.

Run-Flat Requirement

If your vehicle setup requires run-flat tyres, don't ignore that requirement.

Seasonal Type

Consider whether you need summer, all-season, or winter tyres.

Tyre Condition

Particularly important when inspecting older or previously stored tyres.

Don't Buy the Wrong Tyre Because It Has a Newer Date

Suppose you're comparing:

• Tyre A: Manufactured recently, but has the wrong load specification for your vehicle
• Tyre B: Manufactured earlier, but matches the exact correct vehicle specification

You shouldn't choose Tyre A simply because the manufacturing date is newer. Correct specification always comes first. Follow our step-by-step checklist on how to choose the right tyres for your car in the UK.

Should You Choose the Newest Tyre Available?

Not automatically.

Imagine two suitable tyres:

• Option A: Manufactured more recently, costs £95
• Option B: Manufactured earlier, costs £70

You can't conclude that Option A is automatically the better purchase simply from those two facts. You would still need to consider tyre model, specification, condition, storage, wet grip, fuel efficiency, and expected use.

Should Older Stock Be Cheaper?

Sometimes older stock may be discounted, but don't assume there is a universal pricing rule.

Tyre prices are influenced by manufacturer pricing, model updates, size demand, and current stock promotions. If a tyre is significantly older than another available option, you can decide whether the price difference adequately reflects that for your circumstances.

When Does Tyre Age Matter More?

Tyre age may deserve more attention for some drivers than others.

Low-Mileage Drivers

Suppose you drive only 3,000 miles per year. A tyre could remain on your vehicle for five or six years before tread wear becomes the reason for replacement. Manufacturing age and long-term rubber condition are therefore critical to your purchase.

Read: Best Tyres for Low-Mileage Drivers.

Classic or Occasionally Used Cars

Vehicles that spend long periods parked may accumulate very little mileage. Again, tyre rubber degradation and cracking become primary replacement factors.

Spare Tyres

A spare tyre may cover almost no road miles while still ageing over time. Don't judge it solely by tread depth.

Does Tyre Age Matter Less for High-Mileage Drivers?

A high-mileage driver may wear through tyres much more quickly.

For example, someone driving 25,000 miles per year may replace tyres because of tread wear within 18 months, long before rubber ageing becomes an issue. That doesn't make manufacturing age irrelevant, but the economics and expected lifespan are very different.

Commuting long distances daily? See our best tyres for long-distance commuters in the UK.

Should You Check the Date on All Four Tyres?

If you're buying four tyres, you can check all four manufacturing codes.

They don't necessarily need to have been produced in the exact same week. Tyres can come from different manufacturing batches. What matters more is that each tyre is suitable for the vehicle, in appropriate condition, and correctly specified.

What If the Date Codes Don't Match?

Different date codes don't automatically mean there's a problem.

For example:

• Tyre 1: 1225
• Tyre 2: 1625

These tyres were simply manufactured a month apart during different production cycles. That's not the same as receiving different tyre models or specifications. If you are only replacing one axle, check our guide on whether to replace tyres in pairs or all four and review UK tyre mixing rules.

Can a Tyre Date Code Be on Only One Side?

Yes. Depending on how the tyre's identification markings are presented, the complete date information may be moulded on only one sidewall.

If directional or asymmetric tyres are fitted, the date code may end up facing the inner side of the wheel. If you can't find the four-digit date code easily, ask the fitter to help identify it rather than assuming the tyre doesn't have one.

What About Very Old Three-Digit Date Codes?

Older tyre date-marking formats existed before the modern four-digit convention introduced in the year 2000 (which used three digits and a small triangle for the 1990s).

If you encounter a tyre with a three-digit date code, you're dealing with a tyre manufactured decades ago. Never use a tyre that old on modern roads regardless of tread depth.

Can You Check the Date After Tyres Have Been Fitted?

Yes, although the complete marking may be less conveniently positioned depending on how the tyre is mounted on the wheel rim.

Ideally, if the manufacturing date is an important purchase criterion for you, raise it before fitting. That gives you an opportunity to discuss any concerns with the retailer before the tyre is installed.

Read our full checklist on what to check after having new tyres fitted.

What Should You Do If You Receive Much Older Tyres Than Expected?

Don't immediately assume the tyres are unsafe. Instead:

1. Check the manufacturing code and confirm you've read it correctly.
2. Check the tyre's visible condition for rubber cracking, hardening or discolouration.
3. Contact the retailer to ask about their stock rotation and storage conditions.
4. Check relevant manufacturer guidance regarding warranty start dates.
5. Discuss your concerns before driving thousands of miles on the tyres.

Can You Return a Tyre Because of Its Manufacturing Date?

Your rights and the retailer's obligations depend on the circumstances, including what was advertised, what was agreed, the condition of the goods and applicable consumer law.

Don't assume there's a universal legal right to reject a tyre solely because it was manufactured 12 or 18 months ago, as professional industry storage guidelines consider properly stored tyres as new stock. If the manufacturing date was a specific condition of your purchase, keep your order confirmation and communication with the seller.

Does Tyre Age Affect Warranty?

Warranty terms vary by tyre manufacturer and retailer.

Some warranties base coverage on:

• purchase date (supported by proof of purchase)
• fitting date
• manufacturing date (if receipt is lost)
• remaining tread depth

Never assume warranty coverage solely from the date code. Check the actual terms applying to the tyre you've purchased.

What About Buying Tyres Online?

Online tyre buying makes it easy to compare brands, models, prices, specifications and tyre-label ratings.

Because stock moves through large regional distribution hubs, tyres are selected from active inventory batches. If receiving a tyre below a specific age is critical to your decision, check with customer service before ordering.

How to Compare Tyres Before Buying

Use this order:

1. Find the Correct Tyre: Search by vehicle registration or tyre size.
2. Confirm the Specification: Check width, profile, diameter, load index, speed rating, and XL/run-flat requirements.
3. Compare Suitable Products: Look at brand tier, wet grip, fuel efficiency, and road noise ratings.
4. Consider Manufacturing Age Where Relevant: If you're buying older clearance stock, confirm storage history.
5. Compare the Complete Fitted Cost: Account for fitting, balancing, valves, and old tyre disposal.

Buying Tyres Through TyreSavings

With TyreSavings, you can search for tyres using your vehicle registration or tyre size directly on TyreSavings.com.

You can then compare suitable options across:

• budget tyres
• mid-range tyres
• premium tyres

Arrange local fitting through our trusted search fitters network.

Tyre Manufacturing Date Checklist

Before buying, remember:

1. Find the four-digit date code (e.g., 2424 = week 24 of 2024).
2. Don't confuse the manufacture date with the purchase date.
3. Don't treat the code as an expiry date.
4. Consider storage and physical condition. Age alone doesn't describe a tyre's entire history.
5. Check manufacturer guidance. Don't apply arbitrary internet age limits to every tyre.
6. Prioritise correct specification. A newer tyre in the wrong size or load index is unsafe.
7. Consider your annual mileage. Manufacturing age has greater purchasing relevance if you drive few miles each year.

Should You Buy an Older Unused Tyre?

Potentially, but it requires more context than simply looking at the four-digit date.

You need to consider: age + storage history + physical condition + manufacturer guidance + price + expected use.

A low-mileage driver expecting to keep the tyres for five years may evaluate older stock differently from a high-mileage driver who expects to wear down the tread within twelve months.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I find the manufacturing date on a tyre?

Look for the date code within the tyre's sidewall identification markings. Modern tyres commonly use a four-digit code representing the week and year of manufacture.

2. What does 2424 mean on a tyre?

It means the tyre was manufactured during the 24th week of 2024.

3. What does 1025 mean on a tyre?

It indicates manufacture during week 10 of 2025.

4. Is the tyre manufacturing date an expiry date?

No. The code identifies when the tyre was manufactured. It isn't a printed expiry date.

5. Is an unused tyre manufactured two years ago automatically bad?

No. Manufacturing age alone isn't enough to determine whether a tyre is suitable. Condition, storage history, manufacturer guidance and intended use also matter.

6. Should all four tyres have the same manufacturing date?

Not necessarily. Identical tyres can come from different production batches and therefore carry different manufacturing weeks.

7. Should I ask for the tyre date before ordering online?

You can if manufacturing age is important to you. Exact production dates may not always be known until individual stock is selected, so ask whether a particular date range can be guaranteed.

8. Is a newer tyre always better?

Not automatically. Correct vehicle specification, tyre condition, performance characteristics, storage history and suitability all matter.

9. Does tyre age matter for low-mileage drivers?

It can be particularly relevant because low-mileage drivers may keep tyres for longer before tread wear becomes the main reason for replacement.

10. Can I check the manufacturing date after fitting?

Yes, although the complete marking may not always be conveniently visible from the outward-facing side. Ask your fitter if you need help identifying it.