We will carefully check if the chassis number on the windshield, chassis, and door frame matches.

Battery condition is the single biggest value factor in a used EV, and it can be measured — do not accept a verbal "battery is fine" without data. First, ask for a battery health certificate: brands like BYD, NIO, XPeng and Li Auto can generate an official state-of-health report from the VIN, usually within minutes at a dealer or via the brand's app. Look for SOH above 85% for a car under five years old. Second, request a charge-and-discharge test during inspection: the displayed range at 100% charge compared with the original rated range gives a practical health estimate. Third, check battery warranty status. Most Chinese brands offer 8 years or 150,000–200,000 km on the battery pack, and the remaining warranty usually transfers with the car — get this in writing. Fourth, for cars heading to hot climates, confirm the battery cooling system works; overheating is a common killer of battery life. Add a minimum SOH guarantee to your purchase contract so you have recourse if the battery underperforms.

Flood cars are common after heavy rain seasons, and the damage often shows up months later in the wiring and electronics. Here is how to check before you buy. First, ask for the insurance claim history using the VIN. Flood claims are usually recorded, and any mention of water damage, interior drying, or electrical repair should stop the deal. Second, inspect the interior yourself or via video call. Pull up the carpet edges and look for mud residue, water marks, or rust on seat rails and seatbelt buckles. Seatbelts that retract slowly or have a musty smell were often submerged. Third, check hidden cavities: the spare tire well, glove box, and under the trunk lining. Silt or a tide line there is a strong flood indicator. Fourth, look for condensation behind the instrument cluster and inside the headlights. Persistent fog in the lamps is a classic sign of water immersion. Finally, an OBD scan can help: flood cars often store scattered error codes across unrelated modules (airbag, ABS, body control) because corroded connectors corrupt the network. If several of these signs appear together, walk away. Flood damage is almost never worth repairing, and it will haunt the car's electronics for its whole life.