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.

It depends on the brand, so verify before buying: 1. OTA updates: most newer Chinese EVs update over the air, but some brands tie updates to the region of registration—an exported car may stop receiving them or stay on China firmware. 2. Companion apps: functions like remote climate, charging status, and location often require a Chinese phone number or mainland server access; abroad they may work partially or not at all. 3. Language and units: check the infotainment can switch to your language and your units (miles/km). Ask the exporter to demonstrate the app functions live on video before purchase, and get written confirmation of what will work after export. For the battery, request an SOH (state of health) report—battery replacement is far costlier than any software limitation.

Interior wear is harder to fake than an odometer and often reveals true usage better than any document. Focus on high-contact points the seller rarely restores. The driver's seat bolster shows creasing and cracking by 80,000-100,000 km even with covers. Steering wheel leather polishes smooth and darkens with hand oils; a shiny wheel with low claimed mileage is a red flag. Pedal rubbers wear through at similar rates — check accelerator, brake, and clutch depth. Second-row wear patterns tell you how the car was used: heavy child-seat indentations suggest family use (usually gentler), while uniform rear wear with clean front suggests commercial or ride-hailing duty. Check seat rails for rust (indicates water ingress) and look under floor mats for moisture staining or musty smell — flood cars often hide it there. Also examine the infotainment and instrument cluster: Chinese EVs log usage data internally, and a dealer diagnostic readout can cross-check driving hours against mileage. Request close-up, well-lit photos of these specific points during your live video inspection rather than relying on the seller's gallery.