Auction Condition Grade/Score
All vehicles entered into the auctions around Japan are inspected by auction inspectors and a grade/score number is issued based on the vehicles whole general condition.
6 or S New Vehicle.
5.0 Almost New Condition with Low Km's.
4.5 Very Clean Condition with maybe a couple of very minor blemishes.
4.0 Clean Condition with some scratches & minor dents.
3.5 Average Condition with maybe scratches, scuffs, dents and a degree of paint damage.
3.0 Below Average Condition with maybe many scratches, scuffs or paint damage & maybe poor interior.
2.0 Very Poor Condition Vehicle.
1.0 Modified Vehicle.
RA or A Accident Repaired.
R or B Heavy Accident Repaired - normally internal panels like inner guard, chassis rail/s replaced & many panel beat work.
X, XXX or Blank Un-inspected Vehicle - Accident Vehicle or Problem Vehicle (broken engine, water or fire damaged)
Exterior Grade/Rating
On the auction inspection sheet you will notice a sketched drawing as shown below.
On the sketched drawing the auction inspector will mark down where blemishes are around the outer body panels (does not include underbody).
Below are what these markings refer to,
Paint Scratches & Scuffs
Rating
Fault
Description
A1
Scratch
If on body work or bumpers, generally only small scratch 1cm to 5cm long.
A2
Scratch or Scuff
If on body work, generally a scratch 5cm to 10cm long. If on bumpers, generally either a scratch 5cm to 10cm long or a light paint scuff.
A3
Scratch or Scuff
If on body work, generally 10cm and longer. If on bumpers, generally large paint scuff.
Dents
Rating
Fault
Description
U1 or B1
Dent - Small
Car park door dent 1cm to 3cm.
U2 or B2
Dent - Medium
Light dent from 3cm to 7cm.
U3 or B3
Dent - Large
Large dent from 8cm and bigger - generally repairable (not replace panel).
Crack or Tear
Rating
Fault
Description
Y1
Crack or Tear - Small
Normally effects bumpers, body kits or Light Lenses.
Y2
Crack or Tear - Medium
Normally effects bumpers, body kits or Light Lenses.
Y3
Crack or Tear - Large
Normally effects bumpers, body kits or Light Lenses.
Paint Fade / Clear Coat Peel
Rating
Fault
Description
P1
Paint Fade or Clear Coat Peel -Minor
Normally minor paint fade, 95% chance of removing with polish. Can also be light clear coat peel.
P2
Paint Fade or Clear Coat Peel -Medium
Normally light paint fade, 70% chance of removing with polish. Can also be light clear coat peel.
P3
Paint Fade or Clear Coat Peel -Large
Normally heavy fading or clear coat peel - 90% chance will need repaint.
Repainted Panel
Rating
Fault
Description
W1
Panel Repainted to High Standard.
Depending on colour of vehicle, may slightly notice a different colour shade based on light.
W2
Panel Repainted to Average Standard
Paint will have either light wave effect, dust in paint or panel different shade of colour.
W3
Panel Repainted to Poor Standard
Painted by a blind man - panel will need repainting as paint very poor.
Rust
Rating
Fault
Description
S1
Rust - Light
Depends where on the vehicle, if on doors it generally is rust bubble 1cm to 2cm at the bottom. If on bonnet, it tends to be stone chip rust spots.
S2
Rust - Medium
As above but larger, 2cm to 5cm rust bubble.
S3
Rust - Large
As above but very large, 5cm and bigger.
Note: Our advice is to avoid vehicles with S2 and higher rust.
Corrosion
Rating
Fault
Description
C1
Corrosion - Light
Flaking rust or rust hole small area - 1cm to 3cm in size.
C2
Corrosion - Medium
Flaking rust or rust hole - approximately 3cm to 6cm.
C3
Corrosion - Large
Will look like Swiss Cheese, many rust/large holes.
Note: our advice is to avoid vehicles with any C1, C2, C3
Panel & Windscreen
X
Panel needs replacing or Windscreen Cracked.
XX
Panel replaced
Interior Grade/Rating
Depending on the auction, the interior condition also receives a separate general grade/score and this grade/score is
A-E and can be found in a box below the main auction grade/score.
A Presents like new condition.
B Clean Condition but may have one or a couple of the following - cig burn, minor seat or door panel tear, minor screw hole to dash or cracked/broken trim piece.
C Interior needs detailing plus the above or saggy roof lining.
D Very Dirty Condition or Large Amount of Damage.
E Very Dirty Condition and Very Large Amount of Damage.
Interior Example: Grade/Score: C - in the inspectors notes he/she may say "Interior Floor Mats Need Cleaning" or "Roof Linning Saggy" or "Seat has 5cm Tear & Cig Burn.
Important Information
The auction condition grade/score number is strictly only a quick reference guide for buyers when searching through auction listings. This is a very important point as not all condition grade 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 vehicles are the same due to the following points.
The grade/score number is a general number used by all auction houses around Japan. With all the auction houses, there are good auction houses and not so good auction houses. At one auction house a vehicle can be graded/score of 4.0 but at another auction house the same vehicle can receive a grade/score of 3.5
The key here and only comes with years of experience is knowing the auction houses and how to interpret their grading compared to other auction houses.
If you look on the auction inspection sheet to the LH side of the sketched diagram, this is a section where the auction inspector will list other faults the vehicle may have and this section is highly important and one of the keys to avoiding problem vehicles. Also, in this section the inspector will highlight why he/she has given the interior condition the grade they have.
Inspector Note Examples: Chassis Rust, Engine Noise, Major Water Leak, Blue Smoke, Dash Warning Light On, ABS or SRS Light On etc.