Vehicle in good condition, passed inspection, 0 claims, 5 ownership transfers.
This vehicle is 3 years old, with an average annual mileage of 13,100 kilometers, typical daily family use, and has been transferred 5 times. The exterior paint is in good condition, with possible minor scratches. The interior is in good condition with normal signs of use. The overall body frame is intact, with a few minor abnormalities. Fluids are normal, and the powertrain is functioning well.
The technician will put the vehicle in neutral on the lift, rotate the wheels, and listen for any abnormal metal gear whine from inside the motor reducer, and check for gear oil leaks at the joints of the reducer housing.
No, it is absolutely impossible to get a refund. Not only will there be no refund, but if the proceeds from the port auction of the abandoned cargo are insufficient to cover the exorbitant demurrage and disposal fees, the shipping company and customs will still pursue you (the bill of lading recipient) for the remaining debt through international legal proceedings.
A professional pre-shipment inspection typically costs a small fraction of the vehicle price and routinely pays for itself. A thorough inspection covers: paint thickness measurement across 30+ points to map body repairs; structural assessment of pillars, rails and crossmembers for accident damage; engine and transmission operation; a full electronic scan for fault codes; suspension and underbody checks for leaks and rust; and, for EVs, battery SOH and thermal management performance. You receive a written report with photos before the car is loaded — if the car fails, you can stop the shipment or renegotiate. Skipping the inspection to save a small fee is the classic false economy in used car importing: discovering a problem after arrival is far more expensive than preventing it at origin.
