Vehicle Advice11 November 2026

How Old Are Your Tyres? Read the Date Code

Answer first: the last four digits of a tyre manufacturing code normally show its production week and year. A code ending in 2922 means the tyre was made in the 29th week of 2022. Age alone does not prove a tyre is unsafe, but it should be checked with tread, cracks, bulges, pressure history and storage.

Example: 2922 means week 29 of 2022. Original graphic by Motordeal Premium.

Safety warning: do not crawl under a vehicle or jack it up merely to find a date code. Park on level ground, switch off the engine, apply the parking brake and inspect only visible sidewalls. If the complete code faces inward, ask a tyre professional to check it safely.

Where to find the tyre date code

Look along the tyre sidewall for a longer identification string. The manufacturing date is the final four-digit group, often shown in a small oval. It may appear on only one sidewall.

Find the final four digits. The tyre size marking, such as 205/55 R16, is not the date.
Read the first two digits as the week. 29 means the 29th week.
Read the last two digits as the year. 22 means 2022.
Check all fitted tyres and the spare. They may have different ages.

Does a tyre expire at a fixed age in South Africa?

South African road-traffic rules focus on tyre condition, visible tread and structural defects rather than giving every passenger-car tyre one universal calendar expiry date. Regulation 212 prohibits dangerous conditions including exposed cords, significant cuts, bulges and inadequate tread.

That does not make an old tyre automatically safe. Rubber ages through heat, sunlight, oxygen, load and storage. Continental recommends replacing tyres more than 10 years from manufacture as a precaution. Your vehicle or tyre maker may specify a shorter interval, so check the owner manual.

Age is only one part of the safety check

Arrange a professional inspection sooner if you notice:

sidewall cracking, cuts, exposed cord, lumps or bulges;
repeated pressure loss or unexplained vibration;
uneven, scalloped or flat-spotted tread;
damage after a pothole or kerb strike;
an old or underinflated spare tyre.

The AA South Africa says tyres are a critical safety feature and should be checked regularly. Regulation 212 requires at least 1 mm of tread where no tread-wear indicator determines the limit; a tyre level with a fitted wear indicator is not roadworthy. Damage or deterioration can require replacement before either threshold.

What to ask when buying a used car or replacement tyres

Check every tyre rather than assuming a matching brand means matching age. Ask why one tyre is much newer, whether punctures were repaired, and whether the vehicle has service or alignment history. An old unused spare also deserves inspection before a roadside emergency.

Comparing a pre-owned vehicle? Browse our luxury-value showroom and use this check alongside a full vehicle inspection. For assistance, contact Motordeal Premium.

A practical five-minute tyre routine

Check cold pressures against the vehicle maker recommendation.
Look for cuts, bulges and objects in the tread.
Check tread across the full width.
Record each four-digit date code.
Book a qualified inspection if age, condition or handling causes doubt.

Planning to change cars? Use our trade-in enquiry or review vehicle finance information. Follow @motordeal_premium, @motordealpremium and the Motordeal Premium Facebook page.

Frequently asked questions

What does 2922 mean on a tyre?

It means the tyre was manufactured in the 29th week of 2022.

Is a 10-year-old tyre safe if it still has tread?

Tread alone is not enough. Continental recommends replacing tyres more than 10 years old. Damage or deterioration needs professional assessment regardless of age.