yes it works like this
1. country of build
2 & 3 manufacturers code
456 fillers usually Zs
7&8 model code
9 filler
10. model year code
11 factory code
12 to 17 chassis no.
its pretty obvious it can only show date of manufacture because it can be registered at any time, yorkie also asked for place of manufacture which the no. does show. nobody knows everything Norman
Yes it may not show the date of registration but in the UK the number will give the DVLC the exact date of registration. This should be the same with most licensing authorities
I only know Fords but from their plate on the drivers door pillar all that info is there including the factory where made and the month and year of registration