How to Read a Japanese Auction Sheet
A complete reference guide to interpreting Japanese auto auction inspection reports — grading scales, damage codes, repair history, and everything else you need to know before importing a JDM vehicle.
Overview
Japanese auction sheets are produced by auction houses — USS, TAA, JU, HAA, and others — and accompany every vehicle sold at auction. They contain standardised fields covering vehicle identity, condition grades, features, damage codes, and repair history. Sheets are partially handwritten and partially printed, with layouts varying slightly between auction houses.
There are four primary sections to understand on any sheet:
- Overall Condition Grade — top right of the sheet, in a red box
- Interior Condition Grade — top right, in a blue box
- Vehicle Features — circled items in the features grid (only circled = confirmed present)
- Vehicle Diagram — bottom right, damage codes mapped to a top-down outline of the car
The single most important field: Repair History (修復歴)
Look for 修復歴 followed by 有 (yes) or 無 (no). 有 means the vehicle has had structural repair — frame, pillar, or floor pan work. This is not mere panel damage. A 修復歴 有 vehicle may have reduced structural integrity and will typically be worth significantly less. Always verify this field before purchasing.
Overall Condition Grade
Scored from 0 (worst) to 6 (best). Found in the top right corner of the sheet in a red box. The most commonly seen grades for imported vehicles are 3.5 to 4.5. Grades below 3 should be approached with caution.
| Grade | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | New | |
| 5 | Like new, no faults | |
| 4.5 | One panel with minor paint blemishes | Almost as new — only a fussy buyer would find something wrong |
| 4 | Multiple panels with minor paint blemishes | Very good, better than average wear and tear |
| 3.5 | Some panel/paint attention required | Normal wear and tear for age and distance — may need tidying |
| 3 | Rough overall condition | Needs paint and panel work; moderate to heavy wear inside |
| 2–2.5 | Serious panel damage, rust, or water damage | Avoid unless for racing or parts |
| 1 | Significant performance upgrades or mechanical changes | Modified cars — may cause compliance issues on import |
| 0 / A / R | Accident damage and repair | Usually structural. Occasionally light — worth asking the exporter |
| *** | Serious mechanical or body faults | Engine problems, existing accident damage, fire damage |
Interior Condition Grade
Graded A (best) to E (worst). Found alongside the overall grade, typically in a blue box. Grade C is considered average for a used vehicle — expected wear for its age. Grade B or above is considered very good.
| Grade | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | As new — no condition faults |
| B | Very clean and nice |
| C | Average/clean for age — expected wear and tear |
| D | Cigarette burns or smell, rips, tears, significant wear |
| E | Poor condition — rubbish |
Vehicle Features
The features grid lists optional equipment codes. Only items that are circled by the inspector are confirmed present. Features that are printed but not circled are not included in the vehicle.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| PS | Power Steering |
| PW | Power Windows |
| AW | Alloy Wheels |
| SF | Sunroof |
| SR | Sunroof (alternate code) |
| AB | Airbag |
| ABS | Anti-lock Braking System |
| TV | Television |
| CD | CD Player |
| キーレス | Keyless Entry |
| スマートキー | Smart Key / Proximity Key |
| 革シート | Leather Seats |
| 電動シート | Electric/Power Seats |
| 電動サンシェード | Electric Sunshade |
| バックカメラ | Rear/Backup Camera |
| ナビ | Navigation System |
| ETC | Electronic Toll Collection |
| 4WD / 4×4 | Four-Wheel Drive |
Vehicle Diagram Damage Codes
Located in the bottom right of the sheet. Codes are marked on a top-down diagram of the vehicle, indicating where and what type of damage or repair exists. Higher numbers generally indicate greater severity — a U1 dent is far less serious than a U4 dent.
Multiple codes can appear in the same location. Always read them in context — a W1 on a door is minor; a B3 on a structural panel is more concerning.
| Code | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| XX | Panel Replacement | Entire panel replaced due to damage or repair |
| W / W1–W3 | Wavy Paint | Panel has been repainted; surface is uneven. W1 = least noticeable |
| A | Scratch | General scratch |
| A1 | Tiny Scratch | Should buff out or be an easy touch-up |
| A2 | Medium Scratch | In the top layer of paint — not easily hidden |
| A3 | Deep Scratch | Serious scrape or key mark — requires paintwork |
| U | Pin Dent | Very small dent, e.g. from a car park |
| U1–U4 | Moderate Dent | 1 = smallest. U3–U4 will likely require panel repair |
| B / B1–B4 | Larger Dents | More serious than pin dents. B3–B4 = significant body damage |
| G / X / A (on glass) | Glass Chip | Small stone chip or scratch on window glass — usually minor |
| Y / Y1–Y4 | Cracks | Usually on body kits, bumpers, or lights — often inexpensive to repair |
| P / P1–P4 | Paint Damage | Fading, peeling, sun damage, or poor paintwork |
| S / C / C1–C4 | Rust / Corrosion | S or C1 may be surface rust only. C on sills or wheel arches = serious corrosion |
| AU | Dent + Scratch Combined | AU3 = a large scrape and dent together |
Other Important Fields
Beyond the grades and damage codes, auction sheets contain several other fields that carry significant weight for buyers and importers.
| Field | Japanese | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Repair History | 修復歴 有・無 | 有 = has structural repair history (frame, pillar, or floor pan work). 無 = none. The single most important field on the sheet. |
| Odometer | 走行 | Total kilometres travelled. Listed in km. |
| Chassis Code | 型式 | Model code identifying the exact vehicle variant — engine spec, trim, and production era. |
| Frame Number | 車台No | The vehicle's unique identifier — equivalent to a VIN. Use this to verify the vehicle history. |
| Recycling Fee | リサイクル料金 | Japan's mandatory end-of-life vehicle recycling levy. 前払済 = already paid by the current owner — a positive. |
| Shaken (Vehicle Inspection) | 車検 | Japan's mandatory biannual roadworthy inspection. A full, unbroken shaken history is a significant positive for buyers. |
| Colour Changed | 色替え | The vehicle has been resprayed — the current colour may differ from the original factory colour code. |
| Inspector Notes | 検査記入欄 | Written observations from the auction house inspector. Often includes detail on condition, modifications, or anything unusual. |
| Sales Points | セールスポイント | Positive features highlighted by the seller or inspector to attract buyers. |
Japanese Calendar Year Conversions
Japanese auction sheets record the vehicle year using the imperial era calendar, not the Western (Gregorian) calendar. You'll see years written as H15 or R5 — here's how to convert.
| Era | Range | Conversion | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heisei (H / 平成) | H1–H31 | Add 1988 | H1 = 1989 · H8 = 1996 · H15 = 2003 · H31 = 2019 |
| Reiwa (R / 令和) | R1 onwards | Add 2018 | R1 = 2019 · R3 = 2021 · R5 = 2023 · R6 = 2024 |
Note: H1 and R1 both correspond to 2019 — Heisei ended and Reiwa began in May 2019. Vehicles manufactured in early 2019 may be listed as H31.
Transmission Codes
Transmission type is usually listed near the vehicle specification fields.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FA / FAT | Fully Automatic Transmission |
| 5F / 6F | 5 or 6 speed Manual Transmission |
| CVT | Continuously Variable Transmission |
| フロア | Floor-mounted gear shifter |
| コラム | Column-mounted gear shifter |
Tips for Buyers
Repair history overrides everything
A grade 4.5 vehicle with repair history (修復歴 有) is often a worse buy than a grade 3.5 vehicle without it. The structural integrity question matters more than cosmetic grades.
Grade 3.5 is not a bad car
Grade 3.5 simply means the car has some wear that needs attention — perfectly normal for a vehicle of age and use. Many great import buys are grade 3.5.
Only circled features are confirmed
The features grid shows all possible options for the model. If it is not circled, it is not in the vehicle — regardless of what you expect for that trim level.
Ask about damage codes in detail
If you see B3 or A3 codes on structural panels (doors, quarters, pillars), ask your exporter to inspect in person. Codes on bumpers are far less concerning.
Shaken history is a strong positive
An unbroken shaken (車検) record shows the car has consistently passed Japan's rigorous biannual roadworthy inspection — a very good indicator of mechanical condition.
Recycling fee prepaid saves money
If 前払済 is marked on the recycling fee, the current owner has already paid the end-of-life levy. This reduces the cost you will face as the new registered owner.
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