Start with custody and visible condition
At the agreed handover point, record the VIN, mileage, keys, visible condition and warning messages. Compare dated departure photographs and the carrier documents. Note new damage, missing items or access problems promptly under the applicable delivery process. Do not sign an unqualified condition statement if the inspection could not be completed; record the limitation. Where the car presents a safety warning or suspected high-voltage damage, arrange qualified assessment rather than driving it away to see whether the warning disappears.
Check the accessory inventory carefully
Tai 3 candidates may include different storage, charging or roof equipment. Match the actual inventory rather than a generic brochure list. Inspect loose items for shipping damage and verify the normal operation of accessible locks and closures. Keep sensitive access information private. Missing brackets, controllers or keys can make an included accessory unusable even when the vehicle arrives intact. Ask the seller to resolve omissions through the documented contract route instead of purchasing substitutes before compatibility has been established.
Establish lawful access and local usability
Confirm independent key operation and supported account handling, then identify which connected functions are available at destination. Review the software and regional-service checks without assuming a factory reset transfers ownership. Make sure required documents and local procedures are complete before normal road use. A vehicle that starts is not necessarily registered, insured or approved for the intended operation. Keep legal readiness separate from mechanical readiness so that neither is overlooked in the excitement of collection.
Confirm charging on a verified local supply
Use a suitable, professionally assessed setup to check normal connection, charge, stop and release. Record equipment identification and any error rather than repeatedly trying improvised adapters. A fault at one station does not automatically diagnose the car, but repeated warnings deserve investigation. Keep enough operational margin to reach a safe location and obtain help. Do not plan the first long journey around an untested account, unfamiliar cable or a single station shown on an old charging map.
Create a maintenance baseline from evidence
Have a capable workshop review the service history and the correct schedule. Inspect tyres, brakes, accessible underbody, low-voltage system and other items justified by the vehicle’s condition and storage. Use the Tai 3 maintenance and parts plan to assign work and identify support. Avoid generic packages that replace every fluid without reference to specifications or records. Ask the invoice to distinguish inspection, maintenance, fault diagnosis and actual repair so future owners can understand what was done.
Use the first month to collect repeatable observations
Keep short notes on familiar journeys, charging sessions, closure operation and any recurring sound or warning. Record conditions rather than only an impression that range seems low. Load, weather and road speed can change energy use. A persistent fault needs timely professional attention; a single unfamiliar display may need explanation from the manual. Do not clear records or install unsupported software to make the car resemble another market version before a technician has assessed the complaint.
Close unresolved items with a clear record
Review remaining issues with the responsible seller, carrier or workshop using the evidence for each. Do not assume the same party is responsible for every problem. Set a follow-up scope and retain written results, parts identification and retest observations. For a fleet, create a separate baseline for each VIN rather than copying the first vehicle’s acceptance sheet. A complete arrival file improves service planning and later resale because it shows which facts were verified and which limitations were disclosed.
Example: an accessory problem appears after unloading
Compare the condition record and supplied-item list before assigning responsibility. A missing controller, a damaged latch and a regional service limitation are different problems with different evidence. Document each separately and agree the next action with the relevant party. Combining them into a general statement that the car arrived faulty makes resolution harder and obscures what needs technical inspection.
Buyer checklist
- Compare VIN-linked departure and arrival condition.
- Inventory keys, charging and other included equipment.
- Verify legal readiness and suitable local charging.
- Separate maintenance, diagnosis and transport complaints.
Questions and answers
Should the first service erase all stored faults?
No. Preserve and interpret the records first. Clearing faults without diagnosis can remove useful evidence and does not establish that a problem was repaired.
Is one fleet acceptance sheet enough for several cars?
No. Each VIN needs its own condition, equipment and test record. Similar model names do not make individual findings interchangeable.
Reference information
Use the applicable market and year documentation for equipment and operating limits. The references have their own market and publication scope; they do not establish the condition, fitted equipment or destination approval of an individual vehicle.
Continue with the Tai 3 shipping guide, or send your vehicle requirements.