A complete service history tells you more about a car than its mileage. In China, most maintenance is done at authorized (4S) dealers, and each visit is recorded in the brand's national database. First, ask the seller for the service booklet and maintenance invoices, then have your inspection agent call the brand's 4S network with the VIN to pull the full service record. This shows oil changes, major repairs, recall work and accident-related repairs. Second, check that the mileage recorded at each service visit increases logically. A gap between the database mileage and the dashboard reading is a red flag. Third, ask for the annual inspection (nianjian) records, which are mandatory in China and show whether the car passed emissions and safety checks on time. If the seller claims a full service history but the database shows no records, assume the car was maintained at small independent shops or neglected. Adjust your offer accordingly — plenty of used cars in China have documented histories.

Many connected features are tied to the car's original market. Start with the basics: the infotainment language, navigation maps and voice assistant may only support Chinese, and some systems require a local SIM or account that cannot be transferred to overseas owners. For driver-assistance systems, check whether the model relies on hardware that works without Chinese map data. Lane keeping and adaptive cruise usually work abroad, but map-dependent features like highway pilot may not. Ask the seller to test each key function on video before shipment: boot-up, touchscreen response, app connectivity and over-the-air update status. Also confirm the battery management system and motor controllers have no region locks. Get written confirmation that the features you are paying for are functional in your destination country, and keep that document with the purchase contract.

Ask the exporter for a paint thickness gauge report, or request a live video where they measure the car in front of you. What to look for: · Factory paint on most Chinese cars measures 80–120 microns. Readings above 150–200 microns on a panel usually mean repainting; above 300 microns often means body filler (putty) underneath. · Inconsistent readings between panels (e.g., left door 95µm, right door 180µm) suggest the right side was repaired. · Check gaps between panels (doors, hood, trunk). Uneven gaps or misaligned headlights/bumper clips point to past collision repairs. · Look for overspray on rubber seals, plastic trim, or inside door jambs — a clear sign of repainting. · Check bolt heads on fenders, doors, and hood. Wrench marks or fresh paint over bolts mean the panel was removed. Combine these checks with an OBD scan for airbag or crash-related fault codes. Any repainting should be declared by the seller; if discovered undeclared, you have grounds to renegotiate or reject the car.