How Long Can a Car Be Considered as Inventory?

[KevinRose]

Inventory cars are merely a term used in the automotive sales industry, referring to vehicles that have remained unsold for an extended period after leaving the factory, thus having a longer inventory time. There are no national regulations specifying how many months a car must be in inventory to be considered as such, but the industry generally regards cars that have been in inventory for over three months or more than half a year as inventory cars. Here are some related details: 1. How to Deal with Purchasing an Inventory Car: There are no specific regulations granting consumers who purchase inventory cars special extended warranties or after-sales services. However, if a 4S store intentionally conceals the fact, this constitutes fraud. In such cases, the store should, at the consumer's request, compensate for the losses incurred, with the compensation amount being three times the price of the product purchased or the cost of the service received. 2. Precautions When Buying an Inventory Car: (1) It's essential to know the inventory duration. Generally, the production date of the vehicle can be found on the car's nameplate located on the side of the co-driver seat or in the engine compartment. The time elapsed since the production date is the inventory duration. (2) Assess the condition of the vehicle based on the length of the inventory time. If parts like the wipers, engine belts, and tires show no significant signs of aging, at least the storage environment hasn't been too poor. (3) If the inventory car appears dirty, it's advisable to conduct a thorough inspection of the paint surface after a complete wash to check for any scratches or dents.

[RubyMarie]

In the automotive industry, 'inventory cars' typically refer to brand-new vehicles that have remained unsold for over six months after production. When I worked in coastal cities in southern China, I've seen 4S store parking lots filled with white-film-wrapped cars parked outdoors. In such conditions, door seals begin hardening within three months, and brake discs develop rust spots. I recommend paying special attention to tire production dates during inspection - if they're over a year old, the tread may develop fine cracks. The most troublesome component is the battery, as prolonged storage often leads to discharge and complete failure. Last time, a friend bought an inventory car to save money, only to replace the battery within two weeks of purchase - all the savings went down the drain.

[EmersonFitz]

I've been in automotive logistics for over a decade and have seen too many cases of stock vehicles. Typically, six months is the watershed, but cars produced in winter become more problematic if stored until summer. Last year, while inspecting a batch of stock vehicles for a client, I found all the wiper rubber strips had hardened and cracked. Especially for vehicles with start-stop systems, battery depletion is particularly rapid. Once in a northern garage, I encountered cars stored for ten months with whitened rubber components on the chassis. The most concerning issue is oil sedimentation from prolonged parking, which can easily lead to oil passage blockages during later use. I strongly recommend changing all fluids for vehicles stored over six months—don't believe dealers who claim factory-fill oil is still fine.

[MacKiara]

Last month, I accompanied my cousin to buy a car and saw hundreds of dusty new vehicles in a suburban warehouse. The salesperson offered a discount of 20,000 yuan for cars stored for over five months, which seemed tempting, right? But when I opened the engine compartment, I immediately smelled the sour odor of aging rubber. Lifting the carpet revealed a mouse nest, with the wiring harness chewed into a mess. I recommend bringing a strong flashlight to inspect the undercarriage—long-term parked cars are most prone to accumulating grime there. If the power steering fluid has turned dark brown, steer clear; its shelf life is only eight months. Also, remember to check the 10th letter of the VIN code—cars produced over two years ago can affect insurance coverage.

[McLeah]

Last year, I helped a used car dealer friend handle a batch of inventory cars, and the German cars stored for 9 months had the most issues. The sunroof sealing strips were deformed and leaked, and the start-stop batteries were basically dead. The most troublesome was the brake fluid absorbing moisture, with water content exceeding the standard by three times. Here’s a trick for you: bring a magnetic phone holder to test the car, attaching it to the roof or door to check for repainting. Cars stored for long periods have a high probability of being repainted, as bird droppings and tree sap corrode the paint, and dealerships often secretly touch them up. Remember to ask for the air filter to be removed and inspected—I once saw a car stored for half a year with a nest of ants inside the filter.