1) Verify the company: business license, export track record, and a live video call where they show the actual car and its VIN. 2) Hire an independent pre-shipment inspection. 3) Sign a contract stating the VIN, specs, price, Incoterm, and refund conditions. 4) Pay a 20–30% deposit by bank transfer only after the contract is signed — never the full amount, and never to a personal account. 5) After the inspection passes, pay the balance against a copy of the bill of lading. 6) Track the shipment and prepare import documents. 7) Inspect the car on arrival before releasing any final documents. Each step is a checkpoint. Don't let the seller rush you past one.

This is a common issue with sea transport. If the vehicle is parked at a humid dock, the EPB can easily rust to the brake disc. In addition to testing its release before shipping, we try to ask dock workers to secure the wheels with chocks instead of fully engaging the electronic parking brake.

A proper inspection relies on equipment, not just eyes. The inspector should use a paint thickness gauge to measure 50-60 points across body panels; original paint is typically 80-150 microns. An OBD diagnostic scanner reads stored and pending fault codes across all control units, and for EVs it also reads battery state of health and charge cycle counts. The car must go on a lift for the underbody check: frame rails, suspension components, oil leaks and accident repair marks are only visible from below. A battery tester checks starting voltage and charging system health, and a tread depth gauge documents tire condition. Ask for the report to include raw readings and dated photos rather than a simple pass/fail summary - that is what makes it verifiable.