How to Check if a Car is a Stock Vehicle?
1 Answers
Methods to determine if a car is a stock vehicle: 1. Check the vehicle nameplate: The nameplate records the manufacturing date and vehicle identification number (VIN). It is usually located below the B-pillar on the passenger side. Compare the VIN with the one in the user manual. 2. Review accompanying documents: If the odometer shows no issues, examine the vehicle's documents to verify the production date. Cross-check the VIN and engine number with the actual vehicle to avoid fraud. Also, ensure the completeness of documents, including the purchase invoice, warranty certificate, user manual, and maintenance manual. 3. Inspect for usage traces: If the odometer and documents appear normal, check the interior and exterior for signs of use, such as scratches on the paint, traces of infotainment system usage, or Bluetooth connections to phones. 4. Examine tire wear and production date: A 4-digit code near the wheel hub indicates the tire's production date. The first two digits represent the production week, and the last two indicate the year. New tires have small raised tread hairs; excessive wear suggests the car may have been driven extensively, possibly as a test-drive vehicle. 5. Feel the exhaust pipe interior: Stock vehicles often accumulate dust inside the exhaust pipe, which is hard to clean. A black layer inside may indicate the car was used as a test-drive vehicle.
