In the UAE, you can find your car seatbelt's manufacturing date on a small white label woven directly into the webbing of the belt itself, usually near the lower anchor point. Unlike some markets, the label often features the week and year of production (e.g., "2323" for the 23rd week of 2023) and will always predate the car's official registration date in the UAE. Checking this date is a standard part of the vehicle inspection process conducted by the RTA Dubai, as it helps verify the vehicle's history and identify non-original parts. For popular GCC-spec models like the Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol, and Toyota Hilux, a manufacturing date on the seatbelt that is newer than the car's model year is a clear indicator the belt was replaced, which could be due to prior accident damage or wear from extreme local conditions like desert heat and dust. The MOI UAE's traffic regulations mandate that all safety components, including seatbelts, must be in original or approved condition to pass the annual vehicle test.
| Component | Typical Label Location (GCC-spec Examples) | What to Look For |
|---|
| Seatbelt | Woven label on the belt webbing | Week/Year code (e.g., 4522) |
| Windshield | Bottom corner, near the VIN | DOT code with manufacturing date |
| Tyres | Sidewall | 4-digit DOT code (e.g., 1323) |
- Primary Check: Locate the woven label on the seatbelt webbing, near where it retracts into the B-pillar.
- Date Format: The code is typically a 2-3 digit week number followed by a 2-digit year (e.g., "3522" for August 2022).
- Key Rule: The seatbelt date must be earlier than the vehicle's model year and first registration date in the UAE (e.g., a 2021 Nissan Patrol should have belts dated 2020 or earlier). A later date signals replacement.
- Other Components: Consistently check the manufacturing dates on the windshield (for glass replacement history) and tyres (for age, as per RTA Dubai's guidelines advising against tyres older than 5 years, especially in summer heat above 40°C). This holistic check, recommended by pre-purchase inspection services in Dubai, helps build a full maintenance picture.
