Do l need to carry out a test drive before buying a used car?

Is Now The Time to Buy, Sell, or Trade in a China’s Brand New Cars And Used Cars?

-Of course, based on the data regarding China's automobile exports overseas in 2025, Chinese automobile manufacturers are accelerating their exports and establishing overseas markets. For example, BYD is set to establish a factory in Uzbekistan in the Central Asia region in 2025 to produce vehicles to meet the demand for BYD cars in that area.

2025 China Automobile Monthly Export Trends (10,000 units/month)：

From a monthly trend perspective, automobile exports in 2025 show a 'continuous upward' development trend:
In the first quarter, which is a traditional off-peak season, the export volumes from January to March were all below 600,000 units;
Starting from the second quarter, there was a gradual increase, with May surpassing 690,000 units;
In the third quarter, the exports maintained a high-level operation, reaching 763,300 units in August;
Entering the fourth quarter, there was a sprint phase, with October setting a year-high at 828,100 units.

Although there was a slight decline in November, the exports remained at historically high levels.

Major Countries for China's Automobile Exports in November 2025：

The top five countries are Mexico, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, and Australia.

Major Automobile Export Regions of China：

There is a significant differentiation among traditional export provinces:

Anhui: 118,000 vehicles (14.4% share) continues to lead, but experienced a month-on-month decline of 12.8%, indicating weakened export momentum.

Shanghai: 85,500 vehicles (10.4% share) ranks second, with a sharp month-on-month drop of 24.7%, falling below the 100,000 threshold. Jiangsu: 72,600 vehicles (8.9% share) remains firmly in third place, showing a contrary month-on-month growth of 16.8%, demonstrating stable performance.

Zhejiang: 72,200 vehicles (8.8% share) follows closely, with a month-on-month increase of 5.1%.It's noteworthy to mention the surge from inland provinces:

Shandong: 46,100 vehicles, with a month-on-month surge of 38.6%.

Henan: 35,600 vehicles, with a staggering month-on-month increase of 47.8%.

Shaanxi: 22,900 vehicles, with a remarkable month-on-month increase of 88.3%.

Distribution of China's Automobile Exports in Overseas Markets by Major Regions：

Continental Market Overview: Asia's Foundation is Strong, Europe Faces Short-Term Challenges:

Asia: 325,300 vehicles, accounting for 40%, is the absolute primary market. Europe: 175,800 vehicles, accounting for 21%,

shows a noticeable month-on-month decline.

South America: 82,300 vehicles, accounting for 10%.

Africa: 86,100 vehicles, accounting for 10%.

North America: 119,800 vehicles, accounting for 15%.

Oceania: 29,000 vehicles, accounting for 4%.

Detailed Insights by Continents: Within Asia: West Asia accounts for 134,800 vehicles, or 41.4% of the Asian market;

Southeast Asia accounts for 93,200 vehicles, or 28.7%;

Central Asia accounts for 57,500 vehicles, or 17.7%.

Within Europe: Eastern Europe accounts for 80,800 vehicles, or 46.0% of the European market;

Western Europe accounts for 80,000 vehicles, or 45.5%.

Within Africa: North Africa accounts for 40,400 vehicles, or 46.9% of Africa;

West Africa accounts for 18,500 vehicles, or 21.5%

Due to the new regulations issued by the Chinese government on November 13, 2025, regarding the export of new vehicles, starting from January 1, 2026, automobile export dealers must ensure that new vehicles purchased for export meet a requirement of being in possession for 180 days before export documentation can be processed. Otherwise, the government will not issue the 'automobile export license' and related documents. This policy will result in many dealers in China being unable to export new cars in a short period in 2026, forcing them to focus on exporting used cars to overseas markets.

As a result of the sales impact of new energy vehicles in the domestic market, there has been a significant increase in the number of used fuel vehicles in China, with their quantity growing rapidly year by year. In this context, Chinese used cars will have a price advantage in overseas markets, being approximately 30% to 50% cheaper than the local prices in those markets. Therefore, in 2026, there will be a substantial export of genuine used cars to foreign markets.

When buying a new car or used car?

When shopping for a car, whether new or used, it's essential to consider several key factors: budget (including insurance and fuel costs), your specific needs (such as size and safety features), thorough research on various models, and always conduct a comprehensive test drive. For those buying used cars, additional considerations are necessary, including vehicle history reports (like Carfax or AutoCheck), verification of the VIN, and a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic to uncover any hidden problems, such as rust or flood damage. On the other hand, buyers of new cars should pay close attention to features, technology, and aim for the best price after obtaining a loan pre-approval.

Common Considerations for Both New & Used Cars

Budget: Assess your overall affordability, factoring in the purchase price, insurance, fuel, and maintenance costs.
Needs: Identify your requirements regarding size, seating and cargo space, fuel efficiency, and essential features (like AWD or tech options).
Research: Investigate different models, their reliability, and typical prices using resources like Kelley Blue Book.
Test Drive: Focus on the car's handling, any unusual sounds (like knocking or grinding), and the functionality of features.
Financing: Secure a pre-approved loan to enhance your negotiating power.
Insurance: Acquire quotes for the specific car models you're considering, as insurance rates can differ significantly.

Additional Steps for Used Cars

Vehicle History Report (VHR): Obtain a Carfax or AutoCheck report to check for past accidents, title issues (like salvage titles), ownership history, and recalls.
VIN Verification: Confirm that the VIN on the vehicle matches the information provided on the title and the vehicle history report.
Professional Inspection: Have a qualified mechanic perform a thorough inspection to detect any concealed issues, such as leaks, rust, or potential engine and transmission problems.
Mileage Considerations: Be cautious with high-mileage vehicles; typically, over 20,000 miles per year or fewer than 5,000 miles may raise questions.
Red Flags: Watch for indicators like fluid leaks, excessive rust, warning lights on the dashboard, or inconsistent gaps in body panels.

Additional Steps for New Cars

Feature Confirmation: Ensure all technology, safety features (like backup cameras and blind-spot monitoring), and comfort amenities are operational.
Warranty Understanding: Familiarize yourself with what the manufacturer's warranty covers and for how long.
Negotiation: Strive to negotiate the final price of the vehicle, rather than just focusing on the monthly payment amounts.

By following these guidelines, you can make a more informed decision when purchasing either a new or used car.

What should I know before buying from China used car dealers?

As some times,for our oversea clients,there a most important question is “How to test a used car?” if buy used cars from China.

First, check the exterior of the car for any damage and see if the paint has any scratches. Starting from the front, inspect whether the headlights are damaged, check the hood, each door, the two side mirrors, whether the roof is damaged, the back doors, and whether all four tires and rims need to be replaced.

Next, assess the condition of the interior. Check the roof for any water leaks, ensure that the windows and doors operate smoothly, verify if the front two seats can be adjusted, check for any damage to the back seats, and confirm that the trunk can be opened properly.

After completing the inspection of the car's exterior and interior, use professional diagnostic tools to check the mileage on the vehicle. Compare this with the mileage displayed on the dashboard to verify the accuracy of the second-hand car's recorded kilometers.

Additionally, open the hood to determine whether the engine has been replaced, check if the transmission is damaged, and examine other automotive components for damage.

Simultaneously, after inspecting the second-hand car's engine, transmission, and the integrity of other parts, our technicians will check the A-pillar, B-pillar, and C-pillar to determine if the second-hand vehicle has been involved in any major traffic accidents, flooding, fire damage, etc.

We can utilize third-party inspection agencies to carry out the above checks, such as reputable second-hand car inspection institutions in China like Chaboshi, ZhongCheJian, etc. After the inspection, a complete second-hand car inspection report will be provided to us for our clients to review.

Top 5 Best Used Car Brands in the World：

1.Toyota:

Toyota consistently ranks at the top for used cars, known for their reliability and longevity. Models like the Camry and Corolla are particularly popular among used car buyers.

2.Honda:

Honda vehicles, such as the Civic and Accord, are well-regarded for their performance, reliability, and fuel efficiency. They often have a great resale value due to their reputation.

3.Subaru:

Subaru is known for producing vehicles with all-wheel drive capabilities, making them a favorite in regions with harsh weather conditions. The Subaru Outback and Forester are popular choices in the used market.