Interior assessment is divided into three core areas: the driver's high-frequency contact area (steering wheel, gear shift, edge of the driver's seat), central control button area, and rear seats and ceiling. The natural sheen of leather surfaces (patina) is normal; however, any physical damage (such as leather tearing, fabric burn holes, or plastic breakage) will be classified as "structural interior damage" and clearly marked.

A cold start reveals problems that a warm engine hides. Ask your inspection agent to perform and film this sequence. First, the start itself: the engine should crank smoothly and settle into a stable idle within a few seconds. Extended cranking, blue or white smoke, or a lumpy idle suggest worn internals or head-gasket issues. Second, listen for timing-chain rattle or metallic tapping in the first ten seconds — cold top-end noise often means deferred maintenance. Third, watch the exhaust on a cold morning: brief white vapor is normal in winter, but persistent blue smoke means oil burning, and sweet-smelling white smoke can indicate coolant leaking into the cylinders. Fourth, have the inspector scan the OBD system right after the cold start; misfire counters and fuel-trim values are most honest when the engine is cold. Ask for a continuous, timestamped video from outside the car before startup through at least five minutes of idling, so you can verify the engine really was cold.

The 12V battery is small but critical: when it dies, the car cannot start, unlock, or charge. Used EVs often have weak 12V batteries because they sit on lots for months. Before shipping, ask the exporter to: 1. Measure the battery voltage after the car has rested overnight. It should read around 12.4-12.8V; anything under 12.2V means the battery is degraded. 2. Start the car and check that the charging system holds 13.8-14.4V, confirming the DC-DC converter works. 3. Scan for stored fault codes related to low voltage, which indicate the battery has been deeply discharged repeatedly. During ocean freight, the battery slowly self-discharges. Ask that it be disconnected or kept on a maintainer before loading, and budget for a replacement after arrival if the battery is over 3 years old. A new 12V battery costs little compared to being stranded at the port.