How to inspect a car from China before paying

Why inspect before paying

Seller photos rarely show panel gaps, repair traces or electronics. The car is inspected at the yard, its condition is recorded in photos and video, and only then is the balance paid.

If there are findings, they go into the report: where, how serious and what it means for the deal. The buyer sees the full picture, not only a nice photo.

Body and paint

• Paint thickness and repair traces
• Panel gaps, geometry, sills and structural elements
• Glass, tyres, wheels and production dates
• Corrosion and underbody condition

Electronics, interior and mileage

OBD diagnostics shows errors in control units. We also check lights, cameras, media, climate and other functions.

Mileage is checked against the instruments, service traces and interior wear. Any mismatch is recorded in the report, not hidden in chat.

Documents and photo report

Before the balance, the buyer receives photos and video of the car and the lot documents. The full report for a specific car is available on request.

How to read the report

Start with body and geometry, then review electronics and documents. Ask which findings were fixed and which remain. If the data is incomplete, do not rush the payment.

What to prepare before inspection

Before the inspection you need the VIN, a lot link or vehicle number, the seller’s details and a list of questions. If the seller will not provide a VIN before payment, that is already a warning: history, specification and documents cannot be verified.

Set your priorities: year, mileage, body, engine, specification or colour. A clear list prevents you from accepting a “similar” car after reviewing dozens of photos.

Body and geometry

• Paint thickness and repair traces
• Panel gaps, geometry, sills and structural elements
• Glass, tyres, wheels and production dates
• Corrosion, underbody and flood traces

Photos should show problem areas close up, not only a wide shot. If the seller sends only attractive angles, ask for additional images before payment. A report without the VIN and lot number is difficult to use at handover.

Electronics and test

OBD diagnostics shows control-unit errors, but it does not replace checking lights, cameras, climate, media, windows and seats. For an EV, check the battery, charging port and range display separately.

Mileage is compared with instruments, service traces and interior wear. If there is a mismatch, record it in the report and discuss it before payment, not after dispatch.

Documents and findings

Check the VIN, engine number, year and model against the documents. Body, electronics and document findings should be in one report so the buyer can decide whether to continue, request a discount or cancel.

Inspection does not promise a perfect car. It gives a verifiable picture before the money goes to the seller. If the data is incomplete, stop and ask for the missing detail.

What to ask the seller

• Can I receive the VIN and documents before payment?
• Who performed the inspection and where?
• Is there video of the problem areas?
• What has been repaired and what findings remain?
• How is a cancellation handled if the data does not match?

The answers should be specific. If the seller says “everything is fine” without a VIN, photos or findings, the car cannot be verified. Ask more before paying rather than discovering the issue after dispatch.

How to use the report at handover

At handover, compare the VIN, specification and condition with the report. If there is a discrepancy, record it in photos and video before signing. A report without the lot number and VIN cannot prove that this particular car was inspected.

Inspection does not replace the contract or customs documents: they are separate parts of the deal. First you see the car and its condition, then the estimate, route and registration.

A short pre-payment checklist

• The VIN and documents match the exact lot
• The estimate separates the car, delivery, customs and registration
• It is clear who files the declaration and who is responsible for release
• Storage, retrofits and EPTS are listed separately
• Photos and video of problem areas are available before the balance
• There is a written rule for a data mismatch

This list does not replace the contract, but it helps screen out offers where the final figure rests on promises. If the seller answers each point and shows the documents, the deal can be discussed further. If the answers are vague, ask for clarification before paying.

Check not only the vehicle price but the full estimate: delivery to the exact city, customs payments, storage and registration. Compare the same scope and the same city; otherwise the numbers are not comparable.

What happens after payment

After the lot is confirmed, the stages are fixed: inspection, loading, dispatch, arrival and registration. Each stage should have a clear status and owner. If the car has not shipped yet, ask which documents are ready and which will appear after release.

Do not treat the deal as finished when the car is paid for: logistics, customs, EPTS and handover remain. Keep the correspondence and documents so a discrepancy can be reconstructed quickly.