A proper third-party inspection has four parts, and you should insist on all of them. 1. Lift inspection: the car goes on a hoist to examine the underbody, frame rails, suspension arms and oil pan for impact damage or leaks — areas no photo set can cover. 2. Paint thickness check: a gauge reading from every panel. Inconsistent or very high values reveal repainting; structural points like the A/B/C pillars matter most because they indicate accident repairs. 3. OBD diagnostics: fault codes and live data from the engine, transmission, ABS and airbag modules. Stored historical codes often tell the truth the dashboard hides. 4. Road test: cold and warm driving to check shifting, braking and unusual noises. The report should carry the VIN, inspection date and the agency's stamp or digital signature. It costs very little compared to the price of the car, and it filters out most problem vehicles before your money moves.

Most Chinese brands provide owner manuals in Chinese only, but you can usually get an English version through three channels: ask the exporter (many keep PDF copies), download from the brand's overseas website, or use the car's built-in infotainment system which is often switchable to English. For parts, start with the VIN. Send it to the exporter and ask for the OEM part numbers you need — many parts are shared across models sold domestically and abroad. Common wear items (filters, brake pads, suspension components) are increasingly stocked by international parts platforms and can be shipped within days. For body panels and brand-specific electronics, ordering directly from China via the exporter is often the only option, so factor a 2–6 week wait into your planning. Practical tip: before buying, ask the exporter for a parts price list for the specific model. If they cannot supply one, that is a warning sign about after-sales support. Keep a small stock of common consumables in advance to avoid downtime.

It usually refers to very small stone chips on the hood from high-speed driving, nail scratches on the inside of door handles, slight curb scratches on the edges of wheels, and minor wear on interior plastic parts. These do not affect the vehicle's functionality or corrosion resistance.