The tyre DOT corresponds to the manufacturing date. It consists of four digits that indicate the week and year of production. DOT 3012 means the tyre was made on the 30th week of 2012
Can I purchase and drive on a tyre made 3 or more years ago without performance loss?
The different types of rubber used in tyres have significantly improved and are not as sensitive to the passing of time as they used to. The tyre in itself will not deliver lesser performances so long as it was stored in optimal conditions.