Buying Cars From Japanese Auction
Buying a car from auction in Japan can be a confusing process. With our handy guide, we can help you import you own JDM car!
Translating and Understanding Auction Sheets
OVERALL EXTERIOR GRADE
GRADE S: The car is on sales within 12 months from first registration date. Mileage is less than 10,000km. Condition is excellent.
GRADE 6: The vehicle is within 36 months period from first registration date and has maximum 30,000 km mileage. Almost brand new condition.
GRADE 5: The vehicles had some minor scratches and tiny dents. Maximum mileage is 50,000 km. Exterior and interior are in very neat condition.
GRADE 4.5: The vehicle`s mileage is under 100,000km. Exterior and interior condition do not require any extra maintenance or cleaning.
GRADE 4: Vehicles with maximum mileage of 150,000km. The exterior might have some scratches and tiny dents. Interior is usually clean, but some of the cars might need cleaning and fixing of small torn areas or cigarette burn marks. In general, the vehicle might need minor repair.
GRADE 3.5: This grade is an average condition car, with noticeable scratches and dents (usually car park type). It might require later panel work or paint. Inside might have stains and cigarette burn holes, which may require some repair.
GRADE 3: The grade requires close attention, as it usually has many visible scratches, paint blemishes, and/or large dents. It requires major panel and/or paintwork. Interior might have multiple stains or cigarette holes.
GRADE 2: Very bad condition, major dents and scratches, chassis or core support have severe corrosion or hole.
GRADE 1: Accident-Salage vehicle needs complete fixing, has major technical problem.
GRADE-R/RA/O These grades depend on Auction house own grading system, please contact for clarification .In general R stands for repair,exterior is in average condition after repair had been done but is also very common with modified cars.
GRADE-***/-/0/無効 These cars displayed as they are, NOT inspected cars, sold as they are
0*Depending on the auction hall, grade O might be fixed car or not graded car, please contact for clarification.
EXTERIOR INDICATORS
AW – alloy wheels
CP – wheel covers
Aero – aero parts
3D/5D – door count
HR – High roof
HID – High-intensity discharge lamps/
RS – Rear spoiler
SCRATCH SIGNS
A1 –Thumb Size Hardly Visible
A2-Palm size scratch on paint
А4 Scratches more than 20 см
А5 Scratches that need to be painted
This line show the exact scratch location
DENTS
B1/B2/B3 – Dent with a scratch
E1- barely visible dent
E2- few dents barely visible
E3- many visible dents
U1- Pin dents
U2- dent visible
U3- 2 Palm size dent
TORN AREAS SIGNS
Y1- A tear which is the size of a thumb.
Y2- A tear which is the size of a palm.
Y3- A tear which is more than size Y2.
RUST
S1, S2, S3- Rust from weak to sever
C1,C2,C3 –Corrosion from weak, small to severe with corrosion with a whole sign 穴
WAVY AREAS SIGNS
W1- A panel which has been repaired slightly, and is in good condition.
W2- A panel which has been repaired slightly, and has a slightly wave.
W3- A panel which has been repaired and has a conspicuous wave.
P or H– Paint faded , M repair marked
REPLACEMENT SIGNS
X -A panel which needs to be replaced.
!- Tender-Lease auctions use this sign for replaced parts!
XX-A panel which has been replaced.
CRACK
X1/ H1/G- small stone chip on the front window up 1 cm)
R -crack on front glass stone chip/crack has been fixed
RX-crack in front glass /needs replacement
INTERIOR GRADE
GRADE A – Very clean condition without stains, burnt areas or scratches
GRADE B – Clean condition, the previous owner take a good car of the car interior
GRADE C – Interior need some cleaning, tiny stains might have some cigarette burnt holes
GRADE D – The interior is not clean, must be cleaned and restored ,might have some holes or cut areas
GRADE E – This grade needs complete interior restoration
INTERIOR INDICATORS
PS – Power steering
PW – Power window
AAC /AC/–Automatic or none-automatic air conditioning
AB, SRS, WAB –Airbag types
AT, FA, FAT, IAT, CA, CAT, CVT, ICVT- Automatic transmissions
MT, F5, 5C, 5SPD/6F/6 – Manual transmission
NAVI, GPS – Navigation system
ST/CD / MD /TV- Music and video equipment
革, レザー, カワ,LS – Leather seats
SR, サンルーフ –Sunroof
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
LPG, CNG, LNG– Gas fuel types
ABS – Anti-lock braking system
AFS – Adaptive Front light System
LSD -Limited slip differential
EVC – Electric Vehicle Car
TRC, TCS -Traction Control System (TRC)
2WD/4WD – Drivetrain type, two/four wheel drive
SPECIAL INDICATORS
$ or *,# -these signs represent the changed mileage, that is tempered odometer or odometer change
改 -( kai mark’) – This sign represents modification done by previous owners, for example:
Performance cars
-To add additional horsepower, multiple aftermarket parts, extra equipment and engine modifications
- Aftermarket suspension, seats, steering wheel etc.
- Transmission modification, the original AT mission converted to manual transmission.
Passenger cars, Vans, Trucks
- Previous owner, has converted fuel from gasoline to LPG or CNG gas
- Removal of seats and installment of special purpose equipment such as ambulance or camping car.
JAPANESE 平成CALENDAR CONVERSION
In Japan, the registration year is indicated in all documents, NOT actual Manufacture date /MFDT/. Please pay attention, the registration date might differ from actual Manufacture/MFDT/ date on the belt. Japanese year calculation— 2014 is year 26 of the Heisei (平成) era, from 8 January 1989 to the present. Please pay great attention to the registration and actual manufacture date when calculating your import tariffs and local registration fees.