How to Identify Whether a New Car is a Stock Vehicle?
2 Answers
Here are methods to identify if a new car is not a stock vehicle: 1. Manufacturing time: Check the nameplate near the car door, which usually indicates the manufacturing time. Generally, a new car should have been manufactured within the last three months. If the manufacturing time is significantly longer, it is likely a stock vehicle. 2. Time symbols: These are the small dot markings in the corners of the glass, representing the manufacturing time of the glass. Check if the time on both sides of the glass matches. If not, it indicates that one piece has been replaced. 3. Tire wear: New tires have a layer of "tire hairs" when they are first manufactured, which wear off after a few hundred kilometers of driving. When picking up a new car, carefully inspect the tire hairs on all four tires to see if they are still present. 4. Pedal wear: Check for mud stains or wear marks in the gaps of the pedals, as well as excessive wear on the floor mats under the pedals. If present, it suggests the car has been driven for a long distance.
I usually enjoy researching cars, and whenever I visit a 4S dealership, I always check if the car is from inventory. The simplest way is to check the production date, usually found on the vehicle's nameplate or VIN code. If it's from last year or over half a year ago, it's likely a stock car. Pay close attention to the tires—long-term storage can cause deformation or cracks, making them feel uneven. Also, check the mileage; a new car should have under 50 km upon delivery. If it's too low, it might have been tampered with. Open the door and take a sniff—fresh cars have a new plastic smell, while stock cars might smell musty or damp. I also like inspecting the paint under sunlight, as stock cars may have dust buildup or minor scratches. Once, I encountered a car the salesperson claimed was new, but the date was old and the tires were flat. I immediately switched to another dealership and picked a recently dated one, which gave me much more peace of mind. In short, always check the details and don’t blindly trust sales pitches—it’s the right way to go.
