Tyre Date Codes: Avoid Old Stock

Buying a 'new' tyre that has actually sat in a warehouse for four years is one of the oldest tricks in the trade. The DOT date code protects you.

Where to find it

Look for a four-digit number inside an oval on the sidewall, usually after the letters 'DOT'. It's the week and year of manufacture.

Reading it

2523 means week 25 of 2023. 0126 means week 1 of 2026. The first two digits are the week (01–52), the last two are the year.

How fresh is fresh?

Ideally buy tyres less than a year old. A tyre becomes noticeably aged after about 5 years even unused. At KenyaTyres we stock date-fresh tyres and you're welcome to check the code before you pay — it's part of buying with confidence.