China Used Car Pre-Shipment Inspection 2026: 50-Point Checklist — What Every Buyer Should Verify Before Payment

The One Report That Prevents the Most Disputes

A proper pre-shipment inspection stops 90% of buyer-side disputes before they happen. This is the checklist we run on every vehicle we load — the standard we expect from any legitimate exporter. If a supplier will not provide something this detailed, that itself is the answer.

Section A: Documentation Verification (5 points)

1. Chassis plate VIN — high-resolution photograph, full 17 characters visible.
2. Engine bay VIN stamp — photograph, matches chassis plate.
3. Ownership certificate (机动车登记证书) — VIN and owner match invoice.
4. Vehicle registration certificate (行驶证) — VIN, plate number, expiry.
5. Vehicle Export Certificate application confirmation.

Section B: Exterior (12 points)

6. Panel gaps — even, no evidence of collision repair.
7. Paint condition — dents, chips, scratches, documented with location and size.
8. Paint thickness gauge readings — all panels, deviation from body color noted.
9. Glass — windshield, side, rear — no cracks or chips.
10. Lights — headlights, tails, indicators, fog, brake, reverse — all functional.
11. Wheels and tires — brand, size, DOT/production date, tread depth all four.
12. Spare wheel — present, condition, tire depth, jack and tools.
13. Under-body — corrosion, damage, undercoat condition.
14. Front and rear bumper — undamaged, aligned.
15. Doors — open/close smoothly, no misalignment, weatherstrip intact.
16. Trunk / tailgate — hinges, latch, gas struts hold position.
17. Fuel filler / charge port — cap secure, latch works.

Section C: Interior (10 points)

18. Odometer — reading matches invoice; no evidence of tampering.
19. Interior seats — no rips, staining documented.
20. Dashboard — all warning lights off at engine-on; no cracks.
21. Air conditioning — cools to spec temp; all vents functional.
22. Heating and defrost — functional.
23. Infotainment / screens — no dead pixels, boot to spec, GPS locates.
24. Steering wheel controls — all buttons functional.
25. Windows — all four raise/lower, auto features work.
26. Sunroof / moonroof — full open/close cycle if equipped, no leaks.
27. Seatbelts — all buckle, tensioners functional.

Section D: Mechanical (10 points)

28. Engine start — cold start, no unusual noise.
29. Idle — smooth, no fluctuation.
30. Rev test — smooth to redline, no smoke.
31. Oil condition — level and cleanliness.
32. Coolant condition — level, color, no contamination.
33. Transmission fluid (where checkable).
34. Brake fluid — level, moisture check.
35. Power steering fluid where applicable.
36. Belts and hoses — condition, no cracks.
37. Battery — voltage load-tested, terminals clean.
38. Exhaust — no leaks, no unusual smoke color.

Section E: EV / PHEV Specific (7 points, when applicable)

38. Battery State-of-Health percentage.
39. Full charge/discharge cycle count.
40. Charging port function — AC and DC.
41. Charging log data extracted.
42. Range display verification against actual road test.
43. Battery temperature management system — active check.
44. Regenerative braking function.

Section F: Road Test (6 points)

45. Cold start road test — 15 minutes minimum.
46. Acceleration — no hesitation, gearbox shifts clean.
47. Braking — no pull left/right, ABS engages at pedal test.
48. Steering — no play, no vibration at speed.
49. Suspension — no clunks over bumps, no bottoming.
50. Highway speed test — no vibration, tracking straight.

Deliverables of a Proper Inspection

• Written report covering all 50 points with pass/note/fail.
• 200+ photographs covering every checked item.
• Walk-around video, minimum 3 minutes.
• Road test video, minimum 5 minutes.
• Battery SoH document (EV/PHEV).
• Paint thickness gauge readings sheet.

Standard, Not Extra

Every vehicle we export to any destination receives this 50-point inspection as standard. Copies of report, video and photograph archive go to the buyer before deposit is due.

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