For older vehicles or those used in high temperature and humidity areas, we will focus on opening the hood to check if the insulation of the wiring harness in the high-temperature area of the engine compartment is cracked or brittle, to identify potential short circuit risks that could lead to spontaneous combustion.

SOH (State of Health) measures the battery's remaining capacity as a percentage of its original capacity. Two EVs with the same mileage can have very different SOH depending on charging habits and climate exposure, and since the battery represents 30-50% of a used EV's value, the SOH number is effectively the real price tag. A proper certificate includes current SOH percentage, cell voltage balance, charge cycle counts, battery management system fault codes, and often a projected range estimate. In hot-climate markets like the Gulf, a degraded battery degrades even faster, so a documented SOH above 85-90% is strongly recommended. Exporters who provide verified SOH certificates close deals faster and command better prices, so treat the certificate as a core purchase document, not an extra.

The industry-standard structure protects both sides. Pay 20-30% deposit after signing the contract and verifying the exporter's license—never more. The balance is paid only after your independent inspection report confirms the car matches the contract, ideally against a copy of the bill of lading so the exporter can't ship a different vehicle. For extra protection, tie payments to milestones: deposit on contract, second tranche after inspection passes, final payment when shipping documents are released. Some buyers use escrow services or trade assurance platforms for the first transaction with a new supplier; fees run 1-3% but are worth it for large amounts. Always pay to a corporate bank account matching the exporter's registered name. Keep every agreement in the written contract—verbal promises like 'we'll fix that before shipping' are unenforceable. If an exporter demands 50%+ upfront or full payment before inspection, walk away; that structure leaves you with no leverage.