Understanding Japanese Vehicle Auction Grades and Auction Sheets
What do Japanese auction grades like 4.5, 4, 3.5 and R mean? Learn how to read an auction sheet — overall grade, interior grade, damage codes and mileage — before you buy.
Almost every used vehicle sold at a Japanese auction is inspected by the auction house before sale. The inspector records the findings on an auction sheet, and the most important number on that sheet is the overall grade. Understanding the sheet is the best protection you have when buying an imported car.
Overall grade
Each auction house uses its own scale, but most follow a similar pattern:
| Grade | Typical meaning |
|---|---|
| S or 6 | Brand new or nearly new, very low mileage |
| 5 | Excellent condition, very low mileage |
| 4.5 | Very good condition, only very minor marks |
| 4 | Good condition, some small scratches or dents |
| 3.5 | Average condition, more visible wear or marks |
| 3 | Below average; may need cosmetic repair |
| 2 or 1 | Poor condition, or heavily modified/damaged |
| R or RA | Repaired accident history (RA usually means a minor repair) |
A grade of 4 or 4.5 is generally considered a good buy for a used car. An R grade does not automatically mean a bad car, but you should understand exactly what was repaired.
Interior grade
Interior condition is usually given as a letter, typically from A (excellent) to E (poor). B is common for clean used cars.
The damage diagram and codes
The sheet includes a diagram of the car with codes marking each issue. Common codes include:
- A — scratch (A1 small, A2 medium, A3 large)
- U — dent (U1 small to U3 large)
- B — dent with a scratch
- W — wave or repaired panel
- S — rust; C — corrosion
- P — paint marks or paint fading
- X — part needs replacing; XX — part has been replaced
- Y — crack or hole
Mileage and other notes
The sheet records the odometer reading at inspection. Inspectors also write comments about things like interior wear, smoke smells, aftermarket parts or warning lights. These notes are often written in Japanese, so ask your importer to translate them.
How we use auction sheets
When we source a vehicle for you, we share the auction sheet, photos and a translation of the important notes before purchase. Where a listing on our site has an auction grade recorded, it is shown in the vehicle's specifications.
Next, read what to check before buying an imported vehicle or browse vehicles for sale.