Define the buyer’s real question
Use the exact engine and transmission identity, then run a documented cold-to-warm test that exposes thermal, boost and low-speed behavior before export.
Record destination, intended registration, steering side, daily and long-distance route, passengers, luggage, charging access, accepted powertrain, new or used condition, budget and delivery point. A changed candidate or destination reopens affected checks.
Apply the model-specific test
A stable warm idle and short yard movement are not enough. The seller may have pre-warmed the engine, cleared faults or recently changed fluids, while turbo, cooling or transmission symptoms only appear under temperature and load. The gasoline route must remain separate from iDD advice even where the cabin and exterior look the same.
Separate powertrain heat from the cabin climate-control test.
Run the complete evidence sequence
Verify engine and gearbox identity
Use VIN, production record, labels and diagnostics to identify the fitted engine, turbocharging system and transmission before selecting specifications, fluids or procedures.
Request a genuine cold start
Record ambient condition, fluid levels, warning proof, cranking, idle, noise, exhaust and leaks before the engine is warmed. A pre-warmed arrival must remain an inspection limitation.
Observe boost and cooling under load
On a safe route, record response, temperature, fan behavior, warning state, relevant diagnostic evidence and any smell or loss of fluid. Stop for unstable temperature or leakage.
Test DCT behavior in context
Record cold and warm low-speed manoeuvres, reverse, gradients where safe, normal shifts and loaded response. State conditions precisely; do not use a generic claim that every DCT behaves the same.
Recheck after driving
Inspect for oil or coolant seepage, heat damage, odor, pressure loss and stored faults. Preserve codes before clearing and repeat comparable conditions after corrective work.
Prepare destination support
Confirm correct fluids, filters, diagnostics, turbo and cooling parts, transmission service capability and lead time. Price unsupported work rather than assuming it will be locally routine.
Official context: Review the current Changan UNI-Z product page and match it to the selected vehicle.
Evidence specific to this decision
A stable warm idle and short yard movement are not enough. The seller may have pre-warmed the engine, cleared faults or recently changed fluids, while turbo, cooling or transmission symptoms only appear under temperature and load. The gasoline route must remain separate from iDD advice even where the cabin and exterior look the same.
Keep one VIN across the file
Inspection joins structure, paint, underbody, tyres, brakes, road behaviour, diagnostics and history to one VIN. PHEV candidates add battery enclosure, charging and high-voltage diagnostics; gasoline cars add cold-start and DCT tests.
Preserve original-language records beside translations. Connect photos, diagnostic output, charging or road tests, inspection, quotation and contract to the same VIN. Conflicts stop approval until resolved at source.
| Evidence | What to record |
|---|---|
| Identity | VIN, production plate, legal model, powertrain and version |
| Condition | Dated physical checks, history, diagnostics and test results |
| Compatibility | Destination consequence, limitation and responsible reviewer |
| Commercial | Seller, beneficiary, included work, validity and delivery term |
Inspection depth
Begin cold where applicable, then test low speed, cruise, acceleration, braking and uneven surfaces. Recheck leaks, warnings and diagnostics. iDD adds EV transitions and charging.
Record location, severity and repair consequence. Keep cosmetic, structural, mechanical, high-voltage and software issues separate.
Test an ordinary day and an adverse day
Use realistic passengers, luggage, weather, speed, gradients, traffic and energy availability. For iDD, include a failed charger and battery reserve. For gasoline, include local fuel, emissions and workshop constraints. A specification is context, not a guarantee of suitability.
Mark each conclusion green, amber or red with evidence date and owner. Amber needs a priced consequence or condition; red stops payment. Do not turn missing proof into a positive feature claim.
Preserve the approved vehicle to delivery
Carry VIN, version, condition and included work through quotation, contract, invoice, export records and loading media. Record odometer, fuel or charge state, keys, cables, accessories, faults and exterior condition at handover.
China-side work cannot promise destination tax, conformity, registration, charging access, software services, warranty, insurance or future reliability. Refresh local advice if vehicle, route or rules change.
Request a VIN-linked UNI-Z proposalDocuments that keep this decision usable
Create a candidate summary naming the VIN, production date, legal model, powertrain, version, odometer and seller. Attach original identity records, continuous dated media, inspection findings, diagnostic output, road-test notes and charging results where applicable. Each conclusion should identify its source, test condition, limitation, reviewer and expiry point.
Keep the commercial file separate but connected: dated quotation, included and excluded work, inspection conditions, contract entity, bank beneficiary, export responsibility, carrier acceptance and delivery boundary. The destination file records tax or duty advice, conformity, registration, insurance, energy access and workshop support. A changed input reopens the affected decision while preserving the audit trail.
Before loading, compare the approved summary with the physical vehicle and final documents. Record keys, cables, accessories, odometer, fuel or battery state, warnings and visible condition. This final comparison helps prevent a correct inspection being attached to the wrong car.
Buyer questions
Can a warm engine replace a cold-start check?
No. Starting, noise, smoke and warning evidence may be missed.
Does one smooth drive prove DCT health?
No. Combine identity, service history, diagnostics and cold-to-warm repeatable behavior.
What stops the road test?
Unsafe tyres or brakes, severe warnings, leakage, unstable temperature or loss of control.