Battery condition is the single biggest value factor in a used EV, and it can be measured — do not accept a verbal "battery is fine" without data. First, ask for a battery health certificate: brands like BYD, NIO, XPeng and Li Auto can generate an official state-of-health report from the VIN, usually within minutes at a dealer or via the brand's app. Look for SOH above 85% for a car under five years old. Second, request a charge-and-discharge test during inspection: the displayed range at 100% charge compared with the original rated range gives a practical health estimate. Third, check battery warranty status. Most Chinese brands offer 8 years or 150,000–200,000 km on the battery pack, and the remaining warranty usually transfers with the car — get this in writing. Fourth, for cars heading to hot climates, confirm the battery cooling system works; overheating is a common killer of battery life. Add a minimum SOH guarantee to your purchase contract so you have recourse if the battery underperforms.

Cross-border after-sales support mainly comes from three channels: 1. Contract terms: Reputable exporters commit in the sales contract to engine and gearbox coverage for 30 days after pickup, excluding wear-and-tear items. Get this in writing before paying. 2. Inspection report: The pre-shipment inspection report is your baseline. If the car arrives with problems that contradict the report (e.g., hidden accident damage not disclosed), you can file a claim against it. 3. Parts supply: For mainstream Chinese brands, spare parts channels exist in Russia, Central Asia, the Gulf, and Africa. Many exporters will help you source and ship parts after delivery. Practical tips: inspect the car on arrival and photograph everything; report any issue in writing within 48 hours; keep all shipping documents. Claims filed weeks later are hard to prove.

A realistic landed cost has five layers: the car price, export-side fees (deregistration, export license, inland trucking to the port), international freight and insurance, destination duties and taxes, and local charges (port handling, inspection, registration). Buyers most often underestimate three items. First, destination duties are calculated on the customs value, which may include freight, so a cheap car can still attract significant tax. Second, port and terminal charges at both ends add up; demurrage fees apply quickly if documents are late. Third, compliance costs such as homologation, emissions testing, or translation of documents can run into hundreds of dollars depending on the country. Ask every exporter for a written, itemized quote to your port, not just an FOB price, and keep a 5% contingency. Quotes that look unusually cheap usually hide costs in the freight or handling lines.