How to Identify a Stock Car?
2 Answers
Methods to identify a stock car: 1. Check the vehicle's nameplate, usually located on both sides of the door. Open the door to see it, and the nameplate will display the production date of the vehicle. Generally, if it exceeds 6 months, it is considered a stock car; 2. Inspect the production date on the tires. The last two digits usually indicate the production year, while the first two digits indicate the week of production in that year; 3. Check the production time of the car glass, usually found on the windshield. For example, '5' represents production in 2015, with dots in front indicating the first half of the year and dots behind indicating the second half; 4. Open the hood to check if there is accumulated dust on the engine or signs of screws being tampered with. If so, it suggests the car is older or has been repaired; 5. Check the mileage displayed on the car's dashboard and inspect whether the dashboard has been disassembled to prevent mileage fraud.
When checking a stock car, focus on five key areas: First, check the manufacturing date on the factory nameplate on the B-pillar of the passenger seat—if it's over six months old, it's considered a stock car. Second, inspect the tire production date; a four-digit number in a circle, like 1023, means the tire was produced in the 10th week of 2023. Third, pull back the rubber seals to check for hardening or cracks. Fourth, check the battery voltage when starting the car—if it's below 12V, it might be drained. Fifth, turn on the AC and sniff for musty smells, as long-term parking can cause the evaporator to mold. Some 4S stores leave stock cars exposed in the back lot, so it's best to bring an experienced mechanic to inspect, especially the rubber parts and chassis rust. If the tires have flat spots or the brake discs are rusty, remember to negotiate hard on the price.
