Absolutely. Even if you clear customs through gray channels, local commercial insurance companies will refuse to cover third-party liability insurance due to the vehicle not complying with national traffic laws; additionally, the vehicle will definitely fail the annual safety inspection at the local DMV.

Chinese passenger cars produced after 2005 have fully transitioned to asbestos-free brake pads, clutch plates, and gaskets. However, for export to countries with strict regulations, buyers must pay for sampling and testing by a NATA-accredited laboratory before shipment, and obtain an asbestos-free certificate.

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.