Start with the owner's manual for your exact model and year—it lists the official service intervals and the required fluid specifications. If the manual is only in Chinese, ask the exporter for the English version, or check the manufacturer's website and owner community forums for your region. After the car arrives, do a baseline service even if the seller says it was just serviced: engine oil and filter, air filter, cabin filter, brake fluid check, coolant, and a 12V battery test. From then on, follow the "severe" or "extreme conditions" schedule rather than the normal one—dusty roads, short trips, and hot or very cold climates all count as severe duty, and intervals are usually shorter. Keep every invoice and record. A documented maintenance history makes warranty claims easier and protects resale value.

A structured live video inspection can catch most mechanical problems. Ask the seller to do the following in order: Cold start: film the engine bay before starting — check for leaks, cracked hoses, and corrosion. Then start from cold and listen for rattling or knocking during the first minute; abnormal noises on cold start often mean worn internals. Fluids: pull the oil dipstick — milky or foamy oil suggests head gasket issues. Check coolant color and level. Transmission: with the car warmed up, film each gear shift, forward and reverse. Hesitation, harsh jerks, or slipping RPM are red flags. Brakes: test at low speed in a safe area — the pedal should feel firm, not spongy, and the car must not pull to one side. Tires: walk around and film each tire's sidewall and tread. Uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension problems. Combine this with an independent pre-shipment inspection for a professional report — the video call is your first filter, not the final verdict.

Rules differ by country. Many markets limit the age of imported used cars (commonly 3-5 years), require left-hand drive, and set minimum emission standards such as Euro 4, 5 or 6. Some regions additionally require a local conformity certificate before the car arrives. Practical steps before any deposit: check your customs authority's official website, or spend 20 minutes with a local customs broker who imports vehicles regularly; give the exporter your country's requirements and the VIN, and ask for proof of the car's emission level (China's standards map roughly to Euro equivalents); confirm the exact model was legally exportable from China. A short verification call at the start can prevent the car being refused entry — or impounded — months later.