How to Determine if a New Car is a Stock Vehicle When Picking It Up?
2 Answers
There are many ways to determine whether a car is a stock vehicle when picking up a new car. Here are some tips for determining whether a new car is a stock vehicle: 1. Check the vehicle nameplate: The vehicle nameplate is usually located below the B-pillar on the passenger side and is easy to find. The vehicle nameplate is a label that indicates the basic characteristics of the vehicle, including the manufacturer, model, engine power, total weight, load capacity or passenger capacity, production number, production date, and manufacturer name. If the manufacturing date is within three months of the purchase date, it is not a stock vehicle. If it exceeds three months, it can generally be considered a stock vehicle. 2. Check the tire wear and production date: Generally, the tires of a new car show minimal wear. 3. Inspect the inside of the exhaust pipe: Examining the inside of the exhaust pipe is also an effective method to distinguish between a stock vehicle and a new car.
When picking up a new car to check if it's been sitting in inventory, I like to start with the vehicle's identification plate—it shows the manufacturing date, usually stuck near the door. If it's too old, it's definitely been stored for a while. Also, inspect the tire treads carefully; inventory cars often sit unmoved, leading to shallow or deformed treads, which can affect driving safety. Don’t forget to check the battery—if it's dead or has low voltage, it’s likely been drained from sitting too long. Take a sniff of the interior too; if the new-car smell has faded, it might have been sitting for ages. Finally, just ask the dealer directly—inventory cars often come with room for negotiation, but watch out for settled engine oil. Get an oil change soon after pickup to avoid turning it into a ticking time bomb. In short, verifying multiple aspects helps avoid getting scammed.
