Establish safe scope
Use trained personnel, insulated procedures and manufacturer-compatible diagnostics. Do not open a sealed pack or improvise high-voltage tests. Record visible enclosure damage and escalate it rather than converting an inspection into an unsafe repair attempt.
Capture baseline data
Record VIN, battery identifier, capacity reference, odometer, state of charge, ambient and pack temperatures, warnings and software version. Save original diagnostic files so later repairs or resets cannot erase the starting point.
Review cell and isolation signals
Look for abnormal cell spread, temperature imbalance, isolation warnings, contactor or thermal faults and repeated stored events. Interpret readings under the stated state of charge and temperature; a single snapshot near empty or full can mislead.
Observe usable energy
Where practical, compare energy delivered or consumed across a controlled state-of-charge window. Record charger meter and vehicle display separately. The aim is to find plausible behaviour and anomalies, not to claim laboratory capacity from an uncontrolled trip.
Test thermal and charge consistency
Monitor a documented charging session for stable communication, expected power progression, temperatures and interruptions. Recheck after the road test if warnings or limiting appeared. Compare with the exact market configuration, not another battery grade.
Set acceptance and follow-up
Describe confirmed findings, untested areas and the consequence of open codes. State whether further specialist work, price allowance or rejection is appropriate. Preserve the report for shipping handover and the destination workshop.
Condition file close-out
Close this specific file by placing pack identifier and reference capacity, raw diagnostic export and temperature and cell-balance record in one dated candidate record. The reviewer should be able to confirm that no pack is opened during screening and that temperature accompanies every key reading. Name the person or provider responsible for every unresolved point, add a realistic cost or consequence, and state what evidence will change the decision. If the VIN, version, condition or destination basis changes, reopen this file instead of carrying the previous conclusion into a different purchase.
Decision boundary
A useful decision records what is verified, what remains seller-stated and what was not tested. Attach a consequence and owner to each open item. Do not let a broad assurance replace a missing VIN record, charge test, condition image or destination opinion. Acceptance should be explicit: proceed, proceed with a priced condition, obtain more evidence, or reject. A replacement VIN never inherits an earlier acceptance.
Document discipline
Give images, scans, diagnostics and quotations a date, source and vehicle identity. Preserve originals before translation or editing. If custody, software, repair, route or candidate changes, identify which conclusions expire and repeat the affected checks instead of silently carrying them forward. Before inland release, read the same identity, propulsion, value and parties across contract, invoice, inspection and shipping drafts. Registration and customs remain separate destination checks.