Is it normal for a new car to leave the factory four months ago?
2 Answers
It is normal for a new car to have been out of the factory for four months. Here is the relevant introduction: Within 3 months: Strictly speaking, a car within 3 months is not considered a stock car, but anything under half a year is generally acceptable. Stock car: There is no clear legal definition, but within the automotive sales industry, the term "stock car" does exist. It typically refers to domestically produced cars that have not been sold for more than 3-5 months after leaving the factory, as well as imported cars that have not been sold for more than 6 months after leaving the factory. Things to note: When picking up the car, pay attention to the odometer reading, which is usually between 20-80 kilometers. As a commodity, cars are large in size, expensive, have high storage costs, and tie up a significant amount of dealer capital. Therefore, dealers generally do not allow inventory cars to remain in stock for an extended period.
I've been driving for half my life, and it's quite common for new cars to be four months old when they leave the factory. The time it takes for cars to be transported to various dealerships includes shipping and inventory adjustments, which basically don't affect the car's condition. I've encountered cars that were six months old from the factory and still ran smoothly. Within four months, tire and battery aging won't be too noticeable, but remember to check the tire production date when buying (look at the sidewall numbers, like the year and week, e.g., 30th week of 2023) and test the battery voltage. Cars that have been parked for a while might come with bigger discounts—don’t hesitate to negotiate. Reputable dealerships perform regular maintenance, so it's perfectly safe—no need to overthink it. A four-month-old car drives almost as reliably as a brand-new one, with normal fuel consumption and no impact on long-term use.
