Applecare expired on new phone?

[SantaMonicaPier]

I bought my DD an iPhone described on EBay as opened - never used.

Once received it is in perfect condition, however I checked via settings if AppleCare was available to buy and there is a message stating it's expired. Am I correct in thinking this means the phone must have been used by a previous opener, and AppleCare purchased?

Thanks in advance

I think it means that the phone is too old to be eligible for AppleCare, so the phone is likely unused but as it was not sold by Apple and on eBay the seller was the first owner. AppleCare was probably never purchased. You can only buy AppleCare for a certain time after purchase but eBay seller was that purchaser

Oh that's really helpful thank you