A Chinese VIN is 17 characters, and decoding it takes minutes but reveals a lot. Positions 1-3 are the World Manufacturer Identifier. Cars sold domestically in China usually start with L (for example LFV for FAW-VW, LGB for Dongfeng Nissan), which tells you it was built in China rather than imported. Position 10 is the model year letter or number. Positions 4-8 describe the model, body type, and drivetrain, so you can verify the seller's description matches the actual car. Cross-check the VIN in three places: the plate at the base of the windshield, the sticker on the door jamb or B-pillar, and the registration certificate. Mismatched VINs or signs the plates were re-riveted are a serious red flag for a cloned or rebuilt vehicle. Use the VIN to pull a history report from a Chinese data provider and to verify recall status with the manufacturer. Any seller who hesitates to share the full VIN is telling you something important.

SOH (State of Health) measures the battery's remaining capacity as a percentage of its original capacity. Two EVs with the same mileage can have very different SOH depending on charging habits and climate exposure, and since the battery represents 30-50% of a used EV's value, the SOH number is effectively the real price tag. A proper certificate includes current SOH percentage, cell voltage balance, charge cycle counts, battery management system fault codes, and often a projected range estimate. In hot-climate markets like the Gulf, a degraded battery degrades even faster, so a documented SOH above 85-90% is strongly recommended. Exporters who provide verified SOH certificates close deals faster and command better prices, so treat the certificate as a core purchase document, not an extra.

The storage area at the roll-on/roll-off terminal is entirely outdoors, which is standard practice at ports worldwide. During the few days vehicles wait to be loaded, they will inevitably be exposed to sun and rain and accumulate dust. We will not provide custom car covers as this would significantly hinder the efficiency of dock workers moving vehicles.