How to know the manufacture's date of an automobile battery before buying it?

Brief document on how to locate the date of manufacture of an automobile battery, some have it silkscreened in the superior part in a lateral part, some in a terminal with die-cut numbering, but the majority of batteries have it indicated in the worst place and the most uncomfortable and complicated to review, IN THE BASE OF THE BATTERY.

The battery used in this example has been removed from an automobile, as it had reached the end of its useful life, it was already showing signs of not starting properly, it has lasted from 04/12/2016 to 27/01/2023 just over 6 years.

What is the useful life of a car battery? The answer is simple, it depends on the country where you buy it, it is purely a matter of PROGRAMMED OBSOLESCENCE, that is to say, in Spain and Europe, that our sales guarantee is 2 years, the batteries last an average of 4 to 5 years, they would last more if distilled water could be replaced, nowadays.

The batteries come sealed with NO MAINTENANCE, when it is a lie, you need to replenish water, otherwise they do not last.

In Central and South American countries, the sales warranty is 1 year, so batteries usually last 2 to 3 years at the most.

The example battery in this document was purchased and installed on 04/12/2016 as seen in the photo (When I install them in the car, I put a dymo tape with the date of installation. Now we will see how to see when it was manufactured.)

In several brands of batteries, the manufacturers place the date of manufacture on the base of the battery, so it is quite difficult to check that date easily, it is indicated in 2 circles with a numbering and a date.

Detail photos of the 2 circles.

The circle on the left side, numbered from 1 to 12, indicates the MONTH OF CONSTRUCTION, in this example, 6 = JUNE.

The circle on the right, varies according to the years, this example marks 16 - 17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 with the arrow pointing to 16, so it indicates the year of manufacture, 2016.

Dates we can ascertain with the sticker of when it was installed, Manufactured: 06/ 2016 Installed 04/12/2016.