We use two steps: 1. Insert a medical-grade endoscope through the spark plug hole to visually inspect cylinder wall scratches and carbon buildup on the piston top; 2. Extract an engine oil sample to check for large metal debris or emulsification (caused by coolant leakage).
Comparing quotes properly means comparing the same thing: 1. Normalize the scope: some quotes include inland transport, export clearance, inspection and ocean freight, others are FOB only. Ask each exporter for a line-item breakdown so you can compare like with like. 2. Check what is excluded: port charges at destination, customs duties, homologation and registration are almost always on you. Get a written list of everything NOT included. 3. Look beyond the number: a quote 10-15% below the market usually means the car has an issue (accident history, rolled-back mileage, pending lien) or the exporter plans to cut corners on inspection and loading. 4. Verify the exporter: business license, export qualification, recent shipment records, and references from buyers in your region. A realistic quote from a verifiable exporter is worth more than a bargain that turns into a dispute. Always pay against milestones with inspection before balance payment.
A professional pre-shipment inspection typically costs a small fraction of the vehicle price and routinely pays for itself. A thorough inspection covers: paint thickness measurement across 30+ points to map body repairs; structural assessment of pillars, rails and crossmembers for accident damage; engine and transmission operation; a full electronic scan for fault codes; suspension and underbody checks for leaks and rust; and, for EVs, battery SOH and thermal management performance. You receive a written report with photos before the car is loaded — if the car fails, you can stop the shipment or renegotiate. Skipping the inspection to save a small fee is the classic false economy in used car importing: discovering a problem after arrival is far more expensive than preventing it at origin.
