How to verify the model year?

[Mink]

How can one tell for sure? Is there something in the VIN number, or somewhere else? The year of first registration is what it is, but it obviously doesn't always coincide with the MY of the car. :confused:

[tgwillard]

The plate affixed to the drivers side rear door frame gives the date and month of manufacture. If you have the original OEM tires, they have a week and year of manufacture.

[Art]

The VIN also provides the MY of the vehicle as revealed in the link below.

http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/vin_70.shtml

[Mink]

That's very helpful, thanks. I guess there could be a difference between the date of manufacture and the MY - for example they were selling MY 08s last year already. But the MY is clearly specified in the VIN number, so that settles it. Happy to see that my car, which was first registered in mid- '04, is in fact a MY 04.