That's exactly how I inspect Evo's.. A few bolts in particular, the ones behind the power steering pump that mount the bracket to the block, if those are marred it is usually a very good indicator the motor has been pulled as there are (usually) no real reasons to remove those bolts unless you are pulling the block out. Just as an example...

 

I agree stock to me means unmodded from factory, the term should be almost like stock.

 

As long as its not pre-owned and its brand new as in never purchased, then your golden.

I have friends that bought from dealerships and it was worse then buying private sale.

 

This seems to happen with all types of cars, I notice it everywhere

 

I'm sure there are some VIII's and IX's out there that are factory stock. But I'm sure they have a high asking price. Thing is there are some simple bolt on mods that just make this car better. For example if the car had a quality TBE and tune with some Bilsteins and 17-18" rims that are lighter than stock than the car is improved IMHO. Once you start raising boost and swapping turbos the car is certainly not stock anymore.

 

The only things "un-stock" on my car are T-bolt clamps on my hoses, and the brackets for both front seats. If I were going to sell the car I'd probably say it was stock.

 

Someone selling a car as "stock", and someone selling a car as "never modified" are two totally different things.

 

Should at least put (returned to stock).

And I agree just bolt-ons should be a deal breaker. Exhaust noise/style is subjective.

 

This guy gets it.

Yeah, people put all of the OEM parts back on and sell the car as stock. I'm not saying I agree with that behavior or it's the right thing to do, it's merely what I've observed on the forums, Auto-Trader and Honda-Tech in the past.

Buyers just need to educate themselves and ask the right questions or risk getting screwed and then crying about it on EvoM.

 

no matter what someone says its always buyer beware when buying any car used. stock or not.