Buying · November 7, 2026
Every car at a Japanese dealer auction comes with an auction sheet: a one-page inspection report written by the auction house's inspectors. It is in Japanese, and it is the most useful thing you'll read before you bid.
The overall grade
Most auction houses use a similar scale. Exact meanings vary a little between auction houses, so we translate each sheet rather than relying on the number alone.
- S or 6: new or nearly new.
- 5 and 4.5: excellent, with very few marks.
- 4: good, with some light wear.
- 3.5: average, with visible wear or small repairs.
- 3 and below: rough, or needs work.
- R or RA: the car has had accident repairs. RA usually means a lighter repair.
The interior grade
A separate letter, usually A to E, rates the interior. A is excellent, C is average and E is poor.
The damage map
A drawing of the car marks each defect with a letter and a number. The letter says what it is and the number says how big it is, usually from 1 (small) to 3 (large).
- A: scratch
- U: dent
- W: wave or uneven paint, often from a repair
- S: rust
- C: corrosion
- XX: panel replaced
The notes
Handwritten notes cover things the boxes miss: aftermarket parts, warning lights, smells, noises and missing items. They are often the most important part of the sheet, and the hardest to read without help.
How we use it
Before you bid, we translate the whole sheet into plain English and tell you what it means for that car. Auction cars are sold as-is, so this is where you decide. Learn about Japan auction import.
Questions about your car? Ask us or call +1 (239) 810-8226.