Starting in 2008, Mattel began using base codes for Hot Wheels vehicles. The base code can be used to identify when an individual vehicle was actually manufactured in the Hot Wheels factory.
Base Code Details
Base codes are typically found on the base of most Hot Wheels vehicles. The Base Code typically is stamped into the base using a moulded stamp or it might be printed onto the base.
Base codes consist of a letter followed by a two-digit number.
The letter refers to the year of manufacture; the number refers to the week-number (1-52) within that year. Refer to the examples below.
| Letter | Year of Manufacture |
| A | 2008 |
| B | 2009 |
| C | 2010 |
| D | 2011 |
| E | 2012 |
| F | 2013 |
| G | 2014 |
| H | 2015 |
| J | 2016 |
| K | 2017 |
| L | 2018 |
Examples
Example #1
B12
The letter "B" indicates that the car was manufactured in 2009. The number "12" indicates the car was manufactured in the 12th week of that year.
This puts the production date approximately towards the end of March 2009.
Example #2
C47
The letter "C" indicates that the car was manufactured in 2010. The number "47" indicates the car was manufactured in the 47th week of that year.
This puts this car's production date around the end of November 2010.
Usefulness of Base Codes
It has been argued that these base codes have little meaning amongst collectors, other than assisting collectors searching for new variations.