Understanding Japanese Auction Sheet Grades: Complete Decryption Guide
Learn how to read and decode Japanese auction inspection sheets. Understand overall grades (4.5, 4, 3.5, R), interior ratings, and car body scratch/dent codes.
The Japanese Auction Sheet is the most critical document when buying a used car from Japan. Compiled by professional, unbiased third-party inspectors before every auction session, this single document reveals the mechanical status, true mileage, repainted panels, and accident history of the car.
Understanding how to read this sheet protects you from buying flood-damaged, rusted, or poorly repaired units.
The Overall Auction Grade Breakdown
In the upper-right corner of the auction sheet, inspectors assign an overall vehicle rating:
| Overall Grade | Condition Summary | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Grade S / 6 | Brand new or as-new condition, under 10,000 km. | Collector and premium dealership standard. |
| Grade 5 | Near-immaculate condition, minimal road wear, like-new engine. | Top choice for discerning private buyers. |
| Grade 4.5 | Excellent condition, very minor blemishes not visible from 2m. | Sweet spot of quality vs price. |
| Grade 4 | Clean vehicle, normal wear consistent with age/mileage. | Highly recommended for reliable daily drivers. |
| Grade 3.5 | Noticeable scratches, minor dings, or paint fade requiring touch-up. | Great value for budget-conscious buyers. |
| Grade 3 | Substantial blemishes, dents, or worn interior needing cosmetic work. | Project or reselling after refurbishing. |
| Grade R / RA | Repaired accident history (replaced panels, core support repair). | Requires expert evaluation before bidding. |
| **Grade *** | Non-runner, flood damaged, or heavy chassis structural damage. | Generally avoided except for parts harvesting. |
Interior and Exterior Grades (A, B, C, D)
Inspectors also grade the cabin and exterior cosmetics separately with letter grades:
- Grade A: Flawless, smoke-free, no carpet burns, original trim in mint state.
- Grade B: Very clean, minor steering wheel sheen or light upholstery lint.
- Grade C: Visible wear, small cigarette burn, or minor dashboard surface scuff.
- Grade D: Heavy stains, pet odor, tears in seat fabrics, or missing interior plastics.
Decoding the Body Diagram Codes (A, U, W, S, C, X)
The bottom section of every Japanese auction sheet contains a 2D overhead diagram of the vehicle. Inspectors mark specific damage symbols directly onto the affected panels:
- A1 / A2 / A3: Scratch (A1: faint buffable scratch; A2: clear coat scratch; A3: deep scratch into primer).
- U1 / U2 / U3: Dent (U1: minor parking ding; U2: noticeable dent; U3: large dent).
- W1 / W2 / W3: Repainted panel (W1: expert factory-matching paint; W2: acceptable repaint with minor orange peel; W3: poor repaint/mismatched shade).
- S1 / S2: Rust (S1: minor surface oxidation; S2: deep rust requiring metal treatment).
- C1 / C2: Corrosion / Rust holes (serious structural corrosion).
- X / XX: Replaced panel (XX indicates the panel was completely unbolted and replaced with a new part).
- Y1 / Y2: Cracks or splits (frequently found on aftermarket fiberglass bumpers or aerodynamic lip kits).
Crucial Inspector Notes to Watch Out For
The inspector remarks box (setsumei) at the bottom contains handwritten notes in Japanese. Look out for these critical observations:
- 下回りサビ (Shitamawari Sabi): Underbody rust. Common in vehicles from northern snowy prefectures (Hokkaido, Tohoku).
- メーター改ざん (Meter Kaizan): Odometer tampered / unverified mileage.
- オイルにじみ (Oil Nijimi): Light oil seepage around valve cover gaskets.
- コアサポート歪み (Core Support Hizumi): Radiator core support distortion, indicating a prior front-end collision.
Free Inspection Translation Service with Mirai Corporation
Every vehicle listed on Mirai Corporation includes a free, professional English translation of all auction inspector remarks before your bid is finalized. Our team verifies whether the car is accident-free, checks for undercarriage corrosion, and advises whether it fits your importing budget.
About Mirai Corporation
Based in Japan, Mirai Corporation provides worldwide vehicle sourcing, bilingual auction translation, pre-shipment quality inspection, and full container/Ro-Ro ocean freight logistics for international dealers and private importers.
