How Long Can a Car Be Considered as Inventory?
2 Answers
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.
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.
