Is a car from this year considered a stock car if it's been sitting for 5 months?
3 Answers
This year's car sitting for 5 months is considered a stock car. Here's some knowledge about stock cars: 1. It refers to cars that have not been sold for more than three months after leaving the factory. As a commodity, cars are large in size, expensive, have high storage costs, and tie up a lot of the dealer's capital. Therefore, dealers generally do not allow inventory cars to sit for too long. However, for various reasons, there are indeed many cars on the market that have been in stock for more than three months. 2. Generally, the nameplate in the engine compartment will have the manufacturing year and month marked, and the length of time from now is the actual stock time of the car. If there is no obvious aging in parts such as the wipers, engine belts, and tires, at least the storage environment is not too bad. Checking the battery status shows how seriously the dealer treats the stock car. If the battery of the stock car is charged periodically, then the battery status display window should show a green color indicating normal conditions.
To be honest, I've also thought about inventory cars when buying a car myself. A car that's been sitting for 5 months is usually considered an inventory car, as the industry generally defines vehicles parked for over 3 months as inventory. Last time I bought a new car that had been sitting for 4 months, it was several thousand dollars cheaper, but I had to check the engine oil, battery, and tires upon delivery – fluids can thicken over time, and tires may develop slight flat spots. However, most inventory cars are still in decent condition, though prolonged storage can lead to aging of the paint or rubber seals. I recommend asking about the manufacturing date when selecting a car and listening for any unusual engine noises. If you can negotiate a good discount, you can save on maintenance costs compared to a brand-new car. Just make sure the dealership performs proper maintenance before you drive it away.
When I first got into cars, I was also quite concerned—does 5 months count as a stock car? The answer is definitely yes. The standard is that cars sitting for 3 to 6 months can be considered stock vehicles. A friend of mine bought an SUV that had been parked for 5 months, initially lured by the lower price, but later found the wipers had aged a bit and needed replacement. My advice is to pay extra attention to the chassis rust protection and brake fluid color when you visit the dealership—these are prone to issues after prolonged storage. Don’t hesitate to ask the salesperson about the vehicle’s storage conditions; in humid environments, the paint is more susceptible to scratches. Price-wise, stock cars come with significant discounts—you can haggle for a few thousand off—but before taking delivery, have them check the tire pressure and battery voltage. As long as you avoid excessively long-stocked vehicles, the safety is pretty much on par with a new car.
