the honor system

When you are looking to buy are car online, especially from Asia, you have to put all your trust into what is being presented to you on a one page website describing the car.

You see that 99.9% of the time they will mention a dent here, a scratch there etc. but what the so called vehicle inspectors are failing to check are the more important thing like does the car run. Is there actually an engine behind that nice picture.

They say the car has had a full inspection done and when you ask for it you get something like this:


Arrival Inspection Report

1997 BMW 525I
Specifications
Chassis No:
WBADD42-010BV06304
Sub Model:
-
Transmission:
Auto
CC Rating:
2500
Engine Type:
Petrol
Kilometers:
78003
Vehicle Grade:
3.5
Features and Accesories
Color:
BLACK
Doors:
4 Door
Power Steering:
Yes
Power Windows:
Yes
Air Conditioning:
Yes
Interior Color:
GRAY
Interior Type:
Deluxe Cloth
Sunroof:
No
Wheel Style:
Mags
Arrival Information
Arrival Vessel:______________________
Date of Arrival:_____________________
Overview
P/S, A/C, P/W, ABS, Dual Air Bag, Alloy Wheel5 Seater,HID, Digital Meter, Sunroof (Auto),19 inch Aluminum wheel, indicator mirror

*201121*
Right Rear 1/4 panel small paint touch up, Rh Rear door minor paint touch up, after market suspension, low down

Interior Grade B
Stereo/CD/MD/TV:
Yes/No
CD Changer:
Yes/No

Additional damage:
Yes/No
Trunk/Box checked parts:
Yes/No
Parts Description:

Date:
Time:
Inspector:
Transporter:
Notes:

Pre-Delivery Vehicle Inspection Report

Inspector:
Date:

1997 BMW 525I
Specifications
Chassis No:
WBADD42-010BV06304
Sub Model:
-
Transmission:
Auto
CC Rating:
2500
Engine Type:
Petrol
Kilometers:
78003
Vehicle Grade:
3.5
Features and Accesories
Color:
BLACK
Doors:
4 Door
Power Steering:
Yes
Power Windows:
Yes
Interior Color:
GRAY
Interior Type:
Deluxe Cloth
Sunroof:
No
Wheel Style:
Mags
General Information
Departure Date:
10/30/2008
Vessel Name:
Alliance Norfolk (KS)
Loading Port:
Kawasaki
Bill of Lading:
HOEGNF09KSGT0008
Discharging Port:
Georgetown GC
Importer Name:
Georgetown GC
Frontal Impact Appraisal
InnerFrame damage
Y
N
Under body damage
Y
N
Exterior damage
Y
N
Under body rust
Y
N
Frame alignment
Y
N
Meter Diagnostic Appraisal
Auction Kanri Check
Y
N
Visual Appraisal
Y
N
Meter removal check
Y
N

Contaminant Removal Pre-inspection Check

Engine Area:
Y
N
Wiper area(F):
Y
N
Battery Area:
Y
N
Air filter intake:
Y
N
Bumper(F):
Y
N
Radiator:
Y
N
Winscreen:
Y
N
WindowGuard(F):
Y
N
Inner Door(F):
Y
N
Wheel Well(F):
Y
N
Inner Door(R/F):
Y
N
Wheel Well(R):
Y
N


Dash Board Ins:
Y
N
Door Pocket(F):
Y
N
Ashtray(F):
Y
N
Glove box:
Y
N
Center console:
Y
N
Mats(F):
Y
N
Seat Inspection:
Y
N
Seat Check(R):
Y
N
Mats(R):
Y
N
UnderSeat(F/R):
Y
N
Window(R):
Y
N
Door Pocket(R):
Y
N

Bumper(R):
Y
N
Muffler:
Y
N
Wheel Cover:
Y
N
Inner Trunk:
Y
N
Tool kit area:
Y
N
Spare Tire:
Y
N
Wheel Well(R):
Y
N
Inner Door(R):
Y
N
Wheel Well(R):
Y
N
{{Inner Door(F)}}:
Y
N
Under Carrage:
Y
N
Roof/roof rack:
Y
N

Inspectors Notes:

We,Autoterminal,certify that the information within this report is correct and due diligence was performed to meetgovernmental regulatory requirements and unbasis to alternative commercial activities.

Endorsement ReferencesJapan Auction Data base and Meter Kanri system - Autoterminal NZ compliance services - Swift Cargo custom brokerages services - VTNZ Companies Services - Autoterminal International NVOCC and Freight Forwarding Operations Limited Interpole Stolen Vehicle Association - Japanese Police Authority - Japanese Customs Authority Seatrades Freight forwarding and NVOCC operations - FMZ maritime securities and legal advisors USA - NTKK meter diagnostic specialistsPort Everglades Port Authority - United States Federal Customs Authority - United States Foreign Trade Zone Authority Foreign trade zone and customs bonded global terminal operator - NVOCC - Freight Forwarding - Vehicle Appraisal - Quarantine Services - Odometer verification - Stolen vehicle Checks - Quarantine Services - Online Tracking Services


That right.. if you look at it it is incomplete. the inspectors name is blank, they are so stupid they sent me a blank inspection form.

This is why my car arrived with a leaking radiator ($800) , a power window that didn't move ($500), CV boots worn out ($250), the glove box broken (?)

When I go to question why this was never mentioned they say it happened in transit. Perfect I said cause I paid for insurance... their answer... is no response and they will ignore you til you are fed up and leave them alone.