How Many Months Old is Considered a Stock Car?
1 Answers
Stock car is just a term used in the automotive sales industry, referring to new vehicles that remain unsold for an extended period after leaving the factory, thus becoming long-term inventory. There are no national regulations specifying how many months qualify a car as a stock car, but the industry generally considers vehicles unsold for over three months or half a year as stock cars. For imported vehicles, due to the lengthy time required for transportation, customs clearance, and entry procedures, the threshold is more lenient—typically, those unsold for over six months or a year are classified as stock cars. Vehicles unsold for over 12 months are considered stock cars, while those unsold for over two years are severely outdated inventory. The longer a car remains in stock, the greater the cost pressure on dealers, and the more outdated the model becomes, making stock cars often the first to undergo significant price reductions in the market. There is no specific time point or definition for stock cars. Normally, a vehicle requires a certain amount of time for production, assembly line completion, distribution by the general dealer, warehousing, and delivery. When inspecting stock cars unsold for over a year, check the exterior for paint discoloration, aging wiper blades, and tires to determine whether they were stored indoors or outdoors. Inspect the engine compartment pulleys and door/window seals for integrity. Turn off the engine, leave the headlights on for 10 minutes, and check if the battery can start the vehicle normally and whether the engine runs smoothly without abnormal vibrations to assess performance. "Cars parked for years are the worst." There is a consensus that if a car is left unused for a long time after purchase, its condition deteriorates far more than if driven daily. This principle also applies to unsold commercial vehicles. After months or even years in stock, the battery discharges, various oils degrade, and parts like tires deform from prolonged stationary contact with the ground.
