State of Health (SOH) tells you how much of the original battery capacity remains. Here's how to use it. Reading the report: SOH is usually shown as a percentage of original capacity. A car at 90% SOH retains roughly 90% of its original range. Also check for cell imbalance (voltage spread between modules)—a low SOH with balanced cells is often fine, but high imbalance causes sudden range drops and charging problems. Acceptable thresholds: for a car under 3 years old, expect 90%+ SOH. For 3-5 years, 85-90% is normal. Below 80% SOH, the battery may soon need replacement—replacement costs can exceed the car's value, so negotiate hard or walk away. How to verify: don't trust a screenshot. Ask for a live screen recording of the diagnostic app (like the brand's official tool) starting from the car's VIN page. Cross-check the fast-charging curve: a healthy battery charges at near-peak rate up to 60-70%; a degraded one tapers early. Finally, remember that hot climates degrade batteries faster—if the car spent its life in southern China, scrutinize SOH more carefully.

Strict definition: All metal body parts (doors, hood, fenders) and the frame must retain the original factory paint, with uniform paint thickness readings. Minor touch-ups or replacements of plastic bumpers, as they do not affect metal corrosion protection and vehicle structure, can still be classified as "original paint" in a broad sense, but we will separately note the condition of the bumper.

The industry-standard structure protects both sides. Pay 20-30% deposit after signing the contract and verifying the exporter's license—never more. The balance is paid only after your independent inspection report confirms the car matches the contract, ideally against a copy of the bill of lading so the exporter can't ship a different vehicle. For extra protection, tie payments to milestones: deposit on contract, second tranche after inspection passes, final payment when shipping documents are released. Some buyers use escrow services or trade assurance platforms for the first transaction with a new supplier; fees run 1-3% but are worth it for large amounts. Always pay to a corporate bank account matching the exporter's registered name. Keep every agreement in the written contract—verbal promises like 'we'll fix that before shipping' are unenforceable. If an exporter demands 50%+ upfront or full payment before inspection, walk away; that structure leaves you with no leverage.