Electrical faults are among the most annoying problems to discover after import, because they rarely stop the car from running. Ask the seller for a live video walkthrough testing each item: all four windows up and down, sunroof open/close, central locking (including with the key and remote), infotainment touchscreen, Bluetooth pairing, all cameras (reversing and 360-degree if fitted), parking sensors, interior and exterior lights, and the horn. Also watch the dashboard during startup: every warning light should illuminate briefly and then go out. A light that never appears, or stays on, tells you something needs attention. Pair this with an OBD scan to catch stored fault codes the seller might not mention. If a feature "only works sometimes," assume it is broken and price the repair into your offer.

Our foreign versions of the report standardize terminology and include illustrations. For example, instead of just writing "control arm failure," we specify "Lower Control Arm Bushing Torn" to help your local technicians identify the issue directly.

In practice, returning an imported car is extremely difficult, so your protection must be built in before payment, not after. Once a used car has been exported, reversing the transaction involves re-export paperwork, duties, and freight costs that typically exceed any refund you'd recover. Most exporters' contracts treat the sale as final once the bill of lading is issued. What you can realistically do: 1. If the car differs materially from the contract (wrong VIN, undisclosed accident, tampered odometer), you have grounds for a claim. Document everything and negotiate a partial refund or repair credit—full refunds are rare. 2. If the seller committed outright fraud, you can pursue legal action in China or report to the platform, but cross-border enforcement is slow and costly. 3. Some exporters offer a short arrival warranty (usually 30-90 days) covering major mechanical failures. Claims require immediate notification, third-party inspection reports, and proof the damage existed at shipment. The practical takeaway: never rely on the possibility of a return. Spend the money on a thorough pre-shipment inspection and clear contract terms instead—it's far cheaper than a dispute.