Build a three-date record
Ask when the CS75 was manufactured, when it was first registered and which model year the seller is advertising. These dates answer different questions. A late registration can describe a vehicle that sat in storage; an early build may belong to a following-year marketing range. Neither situation automatically makes the car unsuitable, but each changes the questions you should ask about storage and maintenance.
Retain photographs of the factory label and the relevant registration pages with the VIN file. Where dates use different formats, record an unambiguous year-month-day value. Never overwrite a production date with the number appearing in an advertisement. An accurate timeline helps your customs adviser review eligibility and allows your retail team to explain the vehicle honestly to the eventual customer.
Separate original, facelift and PLUS
Treat the original CS75 family, its facelift descriptions and CS75 PLUS as distinct identification categories. A facelift changes appearance and may change equipment without making a car a PLUS. Regional names can differ, so retain the source-market description instead of relying only on a translated sales title. Use exterior and dashboard photographs as supporting evidence, not as the final technical record.
The CS75 versus PLUS comparison explains the purchasing consequences. For an offer containing several years, ask whether the seller has mixed families under a single heading. Separate them before calculating an average price. Otherwise, a lower-cost original model can make a mixed batch appear cheaper than a genuinely comparable group of PLUS vehicles.
Set useful year bands
Choose year bands around your customers' budget, vehicle age rules and available workshop support. Confirm availability for the requested years before finalising your shortlist. Early cars, middle-year facelifts and recent examples can all be discussed, but each candidate needs current verification. Describe mandatory requirements first, such as automatic transmission or documented maintenance, then add preferred years as a flexible range.
If a buyer requests a very recent model year, clarify whether they mean build year or first registration. Also establish acceptable use and mileage. A recently registered car is not automatically unused, while an older unregistered car can have storage-related work outstanding. Your new versus used decision should consider condition and commercial status together.
Match the documents to the configuration
Record engine code, transmission type, drive layout and trim wording alongside the dates. Ask for a matching owner manual or technical reference, especially when service requirements differ between versions. A seller may provide a convenient current brochure that does not cover the car in question. Mark that document as background until its applicability has been established.
When equipment has been replaced, keep both the original configuration and the current installed hardware in the file. An aftermarket screen, replacement wheel set or changed bumper should not silently redefine the model year. Describe modifications separately and test their function. The same approach helps identify whether an attractive upgrade introduces parts or diagnostic complications for your destination workshop.
Assess age through use and storage
Compare odometer records with dated servicing, tyre markings, cabin wear and the inspection report. None of these individually proves mileage, but inconsistencies deserve explanation. Ask about periods of inactivity, exposure to standing water, accident repairs and major component replacement. Request a cold-start appointment where practical so the inspection does not begin only after the engine has been warmed.
For cars stored for long periods, inspect the battery, fluids, tyres, brakes, seals and ventilation before release. Avoid automatically applying a fixed refurbishment allowance to every year. One older car may have recent documented maintenance; a newer one may need immediate attention. Estimate preparation cost from a written scope tied to the actual inspection findings.
Preserve year flexibility in the enquiry
A useful brief might request original CS75 petrol automatics within an accepted build-year range, with alternative years considered when the condition and complete cost are suitable. State what evidence must arrive before a candidate is accepted. This lets the sourcing conversation stay flexible without encouraging substitutions based only on a similar badge or colour.
Retain each rejected candidate with a short reason and the date of the decision. If a replacement is offered, create a new VIN entry and request its own inspection. Send your year preferences through the dealer desk, together with the destination and approximate quantity. The resulting shortlist should show verified dates and current availability, with uncertain fields clearly pending.
New CS75 or PLUS: agree the exact delivery specification
New-car enquiries should identify CS75 or CS75 PLUS before comparing equipment. State the generation and powertrain you will accept, then obtain a specification record for the actual proposed vehicle. Do not use a newer PLUS brochure to describe an original CS75 offer. Ask for the production date, registration status, recorded mileage and a written list of equipment included at handover.
For used CS75 candidates, service history and physical inspection remain central to the purchase. For new candidates, review storage and transport condition, pre-delivery checks, keys and accessories, and the support terms actually offered. Neither route implies that every earlier generation is currently obtainable as a new car.
Use the supporting buying guide to define the evidence, then select your preferred condition in the dealer enquiry. Compare new and used offers separately if you accept both.
