How Long Does a Car Need to Stay Unsold to Be Considered a Stock Vehicle?
2 Answers
Stock vehicles generally refer to cars that remain unsold for more than three months after being manufactured and leaving the factory. Here is some information about stock vehicles: 1. The term "stock vehicle" is a designation used in the automotive sales industry, referring to new cars that have not been sold for a long time after leaving the factory, resulting in extended storage periods. 2. There are no national regulations specifying how many months a car must be unsold to be considered a stock vehicle. However, the industry generally regards cars that have been unsold for more than three months or over half a year as stock vehicles. 3. For imported vehicles, due to the considerable time spent on transportation, customs declaration, and entry procedures, the timeframe is more lenient. Typically, imported cars unsold for more than half a year or a year can be called stock vehicles. 4. Stock vehicles can still be purchased, but the following conditions must be met: first, the discount must be substantial enough; second, the condition of the stock vehicle must be good.
I encountered this issue when buying a car the year before last. At that time, I took a liking to a car, and the salesperson mentioned it had been sitting for almost four months. Later, I consulted several mechanics and learned that a stock car mainly refers to a new car that hasn’t been sold and has been sitting for too long. For domestic cars, anything over three months is generally considered stock, while imported cars can stretch to six months. My friend bought a domestic car that had been sitting for five months, and after taking delivery, the battery frequently failed to start, and there were minor cracks on the tires. Now, when I buy a car myself, I always check the production date sticker. Don’t be tempted by big discounts and overlook checking the oil and fluid aging issues to avoid problems right after driving it home from a long distance. You can negotiate a bigger discount for stock cars, but make sure to bring a knowledgeable friend to inspect the car and ensure it hasn’t been neglected in storage.
