How to Identify a Stock Vehicle?
4 Answers
Methods to determine if a vehicle is a stock vehicle are as follows: 1. First, the most direct way is to check the vehicle's nameplate. Generally, the vehicle nameplate is located on both sides of the door and can be seen upon opening the door. The nameplate will display the vehicle's production date; typically, if it exceeds 6 months, it is considered a stock vehicle. 2. Check the production date on the tires. Usually, the last two digits indicate the year of production, while the first two digits indicate the week of production in that year. 3. Inspect the production time of the car glass, which is usually found on the windshield. For example, a '5' represents production in 2015, with a small dot in front indicating the first half of the year and a small dot at the back indicating the second half of the year. 4. Open the engine hood to check if there is accumulated dust on the car engine or if there are signs of screws being turned. If present, it suggests that the vehicle is older or has undergone repairs.
There are several ways to check for stock vehicles, and I usually enjoy researching these myself. The first step is to locate the vehicle's identification plate, typically found on the door frame's B-pillar or in a corner of the engine compartment, which indicates the manufacturing date. If it's over six months old, it's generally considered a stock vehicle. Next, examine the tires—there's a four-digit number inside an oval frame on the tire sidewall, such as '1823,' meaning the 18th week of 2023. Stock vehicles' tires might show minor cracks on the edges, and the tread patterns may reveal slight indentations. Pay special attention to the brake discs in the engine compartment; vehicles parked for a long time will have extensive rust. Also, feel the rubber seals—if the sunroof and door seals are hard and brittle, they've definitely been exposed to the elements for too long. Finally, pop the hood, pull out the dipstick to check the oil color—if it's cloudy or black, the car has been sitting for too long.
Last time I accompanied a friend to buy a car, I helped them inspect the stock vehicle. First, ask the salesperson to provide the vehicle qualification certificate, which clearly states the manufacturing date. Then, get into the driver's seat and check the VIN code located below the windshield on the steering column. The 10th letter represents the year, and comparing it with the year chart will tell you if it's overdue. The most obvious signs are in the details of the car body: thick dust accumulated in the gaps of the door handles, leaf debris stuck under the wiper blades, and spiderwebs in the wheel hubs—this car has definitely been sitting in the parking lot for months. If the plastic film on the seats hasn't been removed, peel it back to check if the leather has turned white or cracked. After starting the engine, listen for any sounds; stock vehicles often have belts that squeak a bit.
Just check the tires. Squat down and look for the production date code on the tire sidewall—the four-digit number indicated by a triangular arrow shows the production week. On stock vehicles, the tire contact area may deform and develop flat spots, especially on the front tires. Give the tires a kick and listen: a dull thud indicates low tire pressure, suggesting long-term neglect. Yellowing plastic trim is another red flag, particularly on components like the grille. Lift the car to inspect the exhaust system—excessive rust on the inner pipe walls signals prolonged storage. While engine oil doesn't need changing, always verify the coolant level against the marked indicators.
