Our 50-Point Pre-Shipment Inspection: What We Actually Check Before Your Car Leaves China
We export used cars from China. Every unit we ship passes through a 50-point pre-shipment inspection. This isn't marketing—it's a checklist we've refined over 12,000+ exports. We'll walk you through each category, with real numbers, honest unknowns, and zero fluff.
1. Engine (8 points)
Cold start: We start every engine after it has sat for at least 4 hours. We record cranking time (target under 2 seconds for petrol, 3 seconds for diesel). If it stalls or hesitates, we flag it.
Idle stability: After warm-up (5 minutes), we measure idle RPM. Acceptable range: 650–850 RPM for most 4-cylinder engines. If it hunts more than ±50 RPM, we note it.
Oil condition: We check dipstick level and color. Black, milky, or metallic flakes mean we pull a sample for lab testing (cost: $15, we cover it). 1 in 20 cars shows minor contamination—we disclose that.
Coolant condition: We test freeze point (-35°C minimum) and look for oil residue. Any trace of oil means head gasket risk—we reject the car.
Hoses: We squeeze every coolant hose. Cracks or soft spots? We replace before shipment. Average cost: $40 for a set.
Belts: We check serpentine and timing belts (where accessible). Cracks, fraying, or glazing mean replacement. Timing belt replacement interval is typically 100,000 km—we verify service records.
Engine mounts: We check for rubber separation or fluid leaks (hydraulic mounts). Bad mounts cause vibration—we replace if found. Cost: $60–$120 per mount.
Leaks: We run the engine at 2,500 RPM for 2 minutes, then inspect underneath. Any drip within 5 minutes? We trace the source. 80% of leaks are valve cover gaskets—we fix them.
2. Drivetrain (6 points)
Gearbox shift smoothness: We test all forward gears and reverse at idle. Any grinding, hesitation, or clunk means we check fluid level and condition. 1 in 15 manual gearboxes has worn synchros—we disclose this.
Clutch (manual): We measure bite point (should engage within 1/3 to 2/3 of pedal travel). Slipping? We test under load on a slight incline. Replacement cost: $300–$600 including labor.
Differential: We check for whine during tight turns (front diff) or coast-down noise (rear). Any unusual noise means we inspect the fluid for metal particles.
Drive shafts: We check for vibration under acceleration. Worn U-joints cause a "thump" on takeoff—we replace them. Cost: $80–$150 per shaft.
CV joints: We inspect boots for tears (common on Chinese roads). Torn boot? We replace the joint preemptively. 1 in 10 cars has a torn boot—we fix it.
Axles: We check for play at the wheel hub. Excessive play (more than 2 mm) means bearing or axle replacement. We measure with a dial indicator.
3. Electrical (8 points)
Battery health: We use a conductance tester. A battery below 12.4V rest voltage or 60% CCA rating gets replaced. Average battery life in Chinese exports: 3–4 years.
Alternator output: We measure voltage at idle (13.5–14.5V) and under load (headlights + AC). Below 13V? We replace the alternator. Cost: $120–$250.
All lights: We check headlights (low/high beam), taillights, brake lights, turn signals, fog lights, reverse lights, and interior lights. We replace bulbs in pairs. 1 in 5 cars has a burnt bulb.
AC system: We measure vent temperature at max cool after 10 minutes. Target: 4–8°C. If above 10°C, we check refrigerant pressure. Recharge costs $60. Compressor failure? We replace—cost $400–$800.
Infotainment: We test touchscreen response, Bluetooth pairing, USB ports, and sound output. 1 in 12 units has a software glitch—we update firmware if possible.
Sensors: We check ABS, TPMS, and parking sensor lights on startup. Any warning light stays on? We scan with a diagnostic tool and fix the root cause.
OBD scan: We use a professional scanner (Launch X431). We clear no fault codes before shipment—if any remain after a test drive, we investigate. 1 in 8 cars has a stored code for a minor sensor issue.
EV charger check: For electric vehicles, we test both AC (Type 2) and DC (CCS or GB/T) charging. We measure charging speed (kW) and look for error codes. Unknown: battery degradation—we provide a dealer estimate, not a certified test.
4. Body (8 points)
Paint thickness gauge: We measure 10 points per panel (roof, hood, doors, fenders). OEM paint: 80–120 microns. Over 150 microns? We suspect repaint. Over 200 microns? We note it as "possible accident repair."
Panel gaps: We measure gaps between hood/fenders, doors/body, and trunk/lid. Variation >3 mm on adjacent panels? We flag it—can indicate structural damage.
Frame integrity: We check for weld marks, undercoating overspray, or bent rails. Any sign of frame damage? We reject the car—period.
Doors: We open/close each door 10 times. Sticking, sagging, or misalignment means we adjust hinges or replace bushings. Cost: $20–$50 per door.
Hinges: We lubricate all hinges (hood, doors, trunk). If they creak or bind, we replace them.
Glass: We check for chips, cracks, or delamination. Windshield replacement: $150–$300. Side glass: $80–$150.
Undercarriage: We inspect for rust, corrosion, or impact damage. Surface rust on subframes is common in coastal Chinese cities—we treat it. Perforating rust? We reject.
Lifts: We check hood and trunk gas struts. If they don't hold, we replace them. Cost: $15–$30 per strut.
5. Interior (6 points)
Upholstery: We check seats, carpets, and headliner for stains, tears, or burns. 1 in 6 cars has a cigarette burn—we note it. Deep cleaning costs $30–$60.
Dashboard: We look for cracks, warping, or sticky surfaces (common in older Chinese cars). Replacement dash: $200–$500.
Controls: We test window switches, door locks, mirror adjustment, steering wheel controls, and seat adjustment. Non-functional? We repair or replace. Average fix: $40.
AC vents: We check directional movement and airflow. Stuck vents? We lubricate or replace the actuator. Cost: $20–$80.
Sound system: We test each speaker (balance/fade). Distortion or no output? We replace the speaker. Cost: $15–$50 per speaker.
Odors: We sniff for mold, smoke, or chemical smells. Persistent odors require ozone treatment ($20) or full interior shampoo ($100). Unknown: source of smell—we treat, not guarantee.
6. Suspension & Brakes (6 points)
Shock absorbers: We bounce each corner. More than 2 bounces? We replace the shock. Cost: $60–$150 per corner.
Strut mounts: We check for cracking or noise during turning. Worn mounts cause clunking—we replace.
Control arms: We inspect bushings for cracks or separation. 1 in 5 cars has worn lower control arm bushings—we replace them. Cost: $80–$200 per arm.
Brake pads: We measure pad thickness through the caliper. Below 3 mm? We replace both axles. Cost: $80–$150 per axle.
Brake discs: We check for warping (pedal pulsation) and thickness variation. Warped discs? We machine or replace. Cost: $60–$120 per axle.
Brake fluid: We test moisture content (should be below 3%). If above, we flush and replace. Cost: $30.
7. Documentation (8 points)
Title check: We verify the Chinese title (车辆登记证) with the local vehicle management office. We confirm no liens, no salvage status, and no theft record. 1 in 50 titles has a clerical error—we correct it before export.
Accident database: We cross-reference the VIN with Chinese insurance databases (available via third-party services). Only 60% of accidents are reported—we disclose this limitation.
Insurance history: We request a 3-year insurance history from the seller. Gaps in coverage? We flag it—could indicate unreported damage.
Mileage verification: We compare OBD-reported mileage, dashboard reading, and service stamps. Discrepancy >5%? We investigate. Unknown: odometer tampering—we cannot guarantee accuracy beyond visual and electronic checks.
VIN match: We physically check the VIN on the dashboard, door jamb, and engine bay. Must match the title. Mismatch? We reject the car.
Key duplicates: We confirm the number of keys (usually 2). Missing keys cost $80–$200 to replace.
Manuals: We include the owner's manual and any service booklets. If missing, we provide a digital copy.
Service records: We collect available service stamps or invoices. Only 40% of Chinese cars have complete records—we note what's missing.
We ship what we inspect. Every point on this list is checked before your car leaves our warehouse in Hefei. If we find something we can't fix, we tell you before payment. No surprises.
Ready to buy? Message us on WhatsApp: +86 158 5515 8769. We'll send you the inspection report for any car in stock.
FAQ
What does the 50-point pre-shipment inspection cover?
The inspection covers 8 categories: engine (8 points), drivetrain (6 points), electrical (8 points), body (8 points), and more. For the engine, we check cold start, idle stability, oil condition, coolant, hoses, belts, mounts, and leaks. Drivetrain includes gearbox, clutch, differential, drive shafts, CV joints, and axles. Electrical covers battery, alternator, lights, AC, infotainment, sensors, OBD scan, and EV charger. Body includes paint thickness and panel gaps. Each point has specific pass/fail criteria, and we fix or disclose issues before shipment.
How do you check the engine condition before shipping?
We perform an 8-point engine check. First, we cold start the engine after it has sat for at least 4 hours, recording cranking time (under 2 seconds for petrol, 3 seconds for diesel). Then we check idle stability after warm-up, measuring RPM (650–850 for most 4-cylinder engines, must not hunt more than ±50 RPM). We inspect oil level and color—if black, milky, or with metallic flakes, we send a sample for lab testing. Coolant freeze point must be below -35°C with no oil residue. We squeeze all hoses for cracks or soft spots, check belts for cracks or fraying, inspect engine mounts for separation or leaks, and run the engine at 2,500 RPM for 2 minutes to check for leaks. Any issues are fixed or disclosed.
What electrical components are tested in the inspection?
We test 8 electrical points. Battery health is checked with a conductance tester; if below 12.4V rest voltage or 60% CCA, we replace it. Alternator output is measured at idle (13.5–14.5V) and under load; below 13V triggers replacement. All lights are checked and bulbs replaced in pairs. AC vent temperature must be 4–8°C after 10 minutes; if above 10°C, we check refrigerant pressure. Infotainment is tested for touchscreen, Bluetooth, USB, and sound. We check ABS, TPMS, and parking sensor warning lights. A professional OBD scan is performed, and any fault codes are investigated. For EVs, we test AC and DC charging speed and look for error codes.
How do you check the body for accident damage or repainting?
We use a paint thickness gauge to measure 10 points per panel (roof, hood, doors, fenders). OEM paint is typically 80–120 microns. Over 150 microns suggests repaint, and over 200 microns is noted as possible accident repair. We also measure panel gaps between hood/fenders, doors, and other panels. Uneven gaps can indicate poor alignment from previous repairs. These checks help identify hidden damage that might not be visible to the naked eye.
What happens if a problem is found during the inspection?
We fix most issues before shipment. For example, if a coolant hose is cracked, we replace it (average cost $40). If a CV joint boot is torn, we replace the joint preemptively. For minor contamination in oil, we disclose it. For head gasket risk (oil in coolant), we reject the car. We replace batteries, alternators, belts, and mounts as needed. For gearbox synchro wear, we disclose it. We cover the cost of oil lab testing ($15). All replacements are done at our expense, and we provide a detailed report to the buyer. If a problem cannot be fixed economically, we inform the buyer and may offer a discount or alternative vehicle.