A professional pre-purchase inspection in China normally covers five parts: exterior and interior condition, a lift inspection of the chassis and frame, engine bay checks, a road test, and OBD diagnostics. Prioritize the chassis rails and A/B/C pillars for cut-and-weld repairs, engine oil leaks and timing noises, transmission shift quality, and OBD fault codes — cleared codes leave telltale history data. For EVs, add battery pack casing, insulation values, and battery state of health (SOH). Insist on original timestamped photos with the VIN visible and a written conclusion such as 'fit for export' or 'major defects found.' A report that only says 'good condition' is not worth paying for.

Always rely on the original factory network data from the 4S store. Third-party platforms may have delays or errors when capturing data (such as incorrect VIN entry). In case of a conflict, we rely on physical verification of the actual vehicle to resolve the data discrepancies.

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.