How to Read Japanese Car Auction Sheets: A Beginner’s Guide

When it comes to buying a Japanese imported car, one of the most important documents you’ll encounter is the auction inspection sheet. These sheets, used by Japan’s leading vehicle auction houses, provide a detailed overview of a vehicle’s condition. Whether you’re an enthusiast looking to import your dream car or a dealer evaluating inventory, learning how to interpret auction sheets is essential.

In this blog post, we’ll break down the auction grading system, explain common shorthand notations, and walk you through how to read the entire sheet so you can make informed decisions with confidence.

What is a Japanese Auction Sheet?

An auction sheet is a vehicle condition report created by a professional inspector before a car is sold at a Japanese auto auction. This sheet includes a summary of the car’s physical and mechanical condition, odometer reading, accident history, service records, and overall auction grade.

Each auction house has slightly different formats, but the core components are generally the same.

1. Understanding the Auction Grade System

The overall grade is one of the most important indicators on an auction sheet. It gives a general idea of the car’s condition based on bodywork, interior, and mechanical state.

Common Overall Grades:

⚠️ Grades like “R” or “RA” are not always deal-breakers but should prompt a closer inspection of repair quality.

2. Interior Grading

Alongside the overall grade, auction sheets also include an interior grade, often rated from A to D:

• A – Excellent condition
• B – Good condition
• C – Average condition, with some wear and tear
• D – Below average; dirty or worn interior

3. Common Auction Sheet Shorthand & Symbols

The vehicle diagram on the sheet uses letters and numbers to mark exterior condition. Here’s what they typically mean:

Exterior Condition Codes:

The diagram shows the view from above, with each panel marked accordingly. This helps you quickly see where any damage or imperfections are located.

4. What Else to Look For

• Odometer (走行距離 / 走行): Confirm it’s consistent with service history.
  • A “$” symbol marked next to the mileage indicates that the vehicle’s odometer reading is suspected to be inaccurate or tampered with, and the mileage cannot be guaranteed as genuine.
• Colour Code
  • On a Japanese auction sheet, the color code is usually listed in the vehicle details section and refers to the original factory paint color. If a vehicle has undergone a color change, it is often marked with the Japanese word “色替” (irogae) or noted in the remarks section, indicating the vehicle was repainted in a different color than its original factory specification.
  • When a vehicle has had a color change, the auction sheet will also often show an arrow like “→” next to the color code, indicating the change—for example, “White → Black”. This means the car was originally white from the factory and has been repainted black. Keep an eye out for this arrow, as it clearly signals a non-original paint job, which may affect the car’s value.
• Transmission type: Usually written as AT (Automatic), MT (Manual), CVT, etc.
• Notes section: Inspectors will often write short remarks in Japanese. These may include warnings about oil leaks, engine noise, aftermarket modifications, or interior smell (e.g., smoker’s car).

Tip: Use an online Japanese translation app such as Google Translate to help interpret handwritten notes.

5. Beware of Auction Sheet Tampering

Always ensure the auction sheet is authentic and hasn’t been edited or cleaned up for marketing. Trusted importers will give you full original copies of the sheets and photos of the vehicle as it was at auction.

6. Some Real Examples

Here’s an example of a Toyota Crown GRS204 Athlete, a car graded 4.5/B with a diagram showing A2 on the front bumper, A1 on the rear bumper, A1 on the drivers rear wheel arch, A on the windscreen and U1 on the boot. This means it’s in very good condition, with only a few light scratches and a small pin dent. For many buyers, that’s considered a top-quality import.

The notes section on this example sheet mentions some light dirt in the interior (something like this would just need a clean), a defective bonnet damper, the headlight lenses being a bit worn (need a polish up), and some scratches to the wheels.

The example sheet below is for a Toyota Crown JZS171 Athlete VX sedan. This example vehicle is graded R and has been repaired in an accident. The drivers side rear door and quarter panel has been replaced. There has also been paint work done to the passenger side of the vehicle. The passenger front door has a small dent, and the front bumper bar has some small scratches. The windscreen also has some scratch marks. There are also notes mentioning repairs to the core support (radiator support panel), along with dirt and holes in the interior amongst other things. This is the sort of vehicle we would recommend keeping clear of…

Conclusion

Understanding how to read Japanese auction sheets puts you in control when buying an imported vehicle. While the grading and symbols might seem intimidating at first, once you know what to look for, you’ll be able to quickly assess a car’s condition and avoid costly surprises.

If you’re ever unsure about a specific sheet, work with a knowledgeable importer like ourselves who can explain the fine details and help you make an informed decision.

Ready to import your dream JDM car?

At JAP IMP, we interpret every auction sheet for you and only source high-quality vehicles. We get all vehicles checked in the metal by our trusted inspection team in Japan, and provide inspection reports and photographs prior to any bidding. Contact us today to see what’s crossing the block in Japan this week!