Start with the business license: every legitimate Chinese company has a Unified Social Credit Code. Ask for a copy and verify it on the National Enterprise Credit Information system or via your freight forwarder. Check that the business scope includes 'used car export'—this requires specific qualifications. Next, look for proof of substance: a real office or yard (verify via live video call, not pre-recorded), staff answering on Chinese business platforms like WeChat with consistent branding, and a corporate bank account in the company's name—never pay a personal account. Cross-check trade history: ask for recent shipping documents (blurred bills of lading with customer info hidden), references from buyers in your region, and whether they hold export licenses issued by Chinese commerce authorities. Red flags: prices far below market, pressure to pay quickly, refusal of video calls, or bank accounts in third countries 'for convenience'. Take your time—real exporters pass these checks easily.

Parts availability depends on the brand's official presence in your market, but even unsupported brands can be maintained through direct ordering. Check three channels first: the brand's official dealer network (if any), third-party importers who specialize in Chinese auto parts, and generic equivalents. For wear items like brake pads, filters, and wipers, aftermarket suppliers usually stock cross-references by VIN. For model-specific parts — headlights, sensors, control modules — order directly from China. Ask your exporter for the parts catalog by VIN, confirm OEM part numbers, and compare prices. A turbocharger that costs $900 from a local dealer often ships from China for $350 plus $80 freight. Practical tips: bundle multiple parts into one shipment to amortize freight; ask for DDP (delivered duty paid) pricing so customs clearance is handled; and always verify part numbers against your VIN before paying, as Chinese models have running changes mid-year. Keep a small stock of common wear parts — oil filters, air filters, spark plugs — to avoid a 4-6 week wait for routine maintenance.

Most models adjust through the central control screen menu, while a few models (like some BYD or MG) retain physical levers or paddles on the center console or steering wheel. We will check if the drag feel when the system engages is linearly normal.