How to Read a Japanese Auction Sheet: Grades and Codes Explained
Knowing how to read a Japanese auction sheet is one of the best ways to understand the real condition of a Japanese import. Most used Japanese cars sold in New Zealand were bought at auction in Japan, where independent inspectors working for the auction house check every vehicle and record its grade, kilometres and every mark, dent or repair.
The sheet is written in Japanese and uses a shorthand of grades, letters and numbers, so it can look confusing at first. This guide explains what each part means, what the grades really tell you, and the red flags to look out for.
The Short Answer
A Japanese auction sheet gives a vehicle an overall grade (usually from 1 to 6, or S for near new), an interior grade (a letter, with A the best), and a body diagram marked with codes such as A for scratches, U for dents and W for repaired areas. A grade of 4 or above is generally considered a good used car.
The most important things to check are the overall grade, any R or RA marking for repair history, the kilometres, and the inspector's handwritten notes.
What Is on an Auction Sheet
Overall Grade
A single number or letter summing up the car's overall condition, from S or 6 down to 1, or R for repair history.
Interior Grade
A letter grade for the cabin, from A for like new down to D or E for heavy wear.
Body Diagram
An outline of the car marked with codes showing exactly where any scratches, dents, rust or repairs are.
Kilometres
The odometer reading recorded at the auction, which you can compare with the car's later history.
Inspector Notes
Handwritten comments on condition and equipment. These often contain the most useful detail on the sheet.
Vehicle Details
The model code, chassis number, year, engine size, transmission, colour and fitted equipment.
Auction Grades Explained
| Grade | What it means |
|---|---|
| S or 6 | New or nearly new, with very little use |
| 5 | Excellent condition, often very low kilometres |
| 4.5 | Very good condition with only minor wear |
| 4 | Good condition with normal minor marks for its age |
| 3.5 | Average condition, with more visible wear or small repairs |
| 3 | Noticeable wear, scratches or dents |
| 2 or 1 | Poor condition, major faults or heavy modification |
| R or RA | Repair history recorded (see below) |
General meanings used by the major Japanese auction groups. Exact definitions and severity scales vary slightly between auction houses, so always read the full sheet and the inspector's notes, not just the headline grade.
What R and RA Mean
An R or RA grade means the auction house has recorded repair history, usually where a structural or significant part of the car has been repaired or replaced. RA is generally used for a more minor repair than R, while some auction houses use 0 or a star symbol in a similar way.
A repaired car is not automatically a bad car, as the quality of the repair matters. But you should always know about it, understand what was repaired, and expect the price to reflect it. Read the inspector's notes and the body diagram to see exactly where the work was done.
The Interior Grade
Alongside the overall grade, the interior is usually given a letter. A means the cabin is like new, B is very good with light wear, and C and below show more noticeable wear such as stains, worn seats, marks or small tears. Some auction houses also give the exterior its own letter grade.
A strong overall grade with a lower interior grade can still be a good buy, but it tells you to look closely at the seats, carpets and headlining when you inspect the car.
Damage Codes on the Body Diagram
The body diagram is where the detail lives. Each mark combines a letter, which shows the type of damage, with a number, which shows its size or severity. Lower numbers mean smaller, more minor marks.
| Code | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A | Scratch | A1 light scratch, A3 large scratch |
| U | Dent | U1 small dent, U3 large dent |
| B | Dent with a scratch | B1 small, B3 large |
| W | Repaired or repainted area, or panel waviness | W1 barely visible, W3 obvious |
| S | Rust | S1 light surface rust, S3 heavy rust |
| C | Corrosion | More serious than surface rust |
| P | Paint marks or paint needed | P1 small, P3 large |
| G | Stone chip or glass damage | Usually on the windscreen |
| X | Panel or part needs replacing | Beyond repair |
| XX | Panel or part already replaced | Check why it was replaced |
General meanings used by the major Japanese auction groups. Exact definitions and severity scales vary slightly between auction houses, so always read the full sheet and the inspector's notes, not just the headline grade.
Kilometres and Odometer Checks
The auction sheet records the odometer reading at the time of sale. Because the sheet is an independent record made before the car left Japan, it is a valuable way to confirm that the kilometres on a Japanese import are genuine. Some auction houses also flag cars where the odometer has been replaced or the reading is in doubt.
Compare the reading on the auction sheet with the current odometer and the car's history report. Our guide on how to check a car's history in NZ explains the other checks worth doing.
Reading the Year on a Japanese Sheet
Japanese auction sheets often show the year using the Japanese imperial era rather than the western calendar. In the Reiwa era, add 2018 to the number, so R5 is 2023. In the Heisei era, add 1988, so H30 is 2018. Knowing this makes it easy to confirm the year matches the listing.
Red Flags to Look For
- R or RA with no explanation: find out exactly what was repaired and where.
- Several repair codes in one area: multiple W or XX marks clustered together can point to a past accident.
- Rust or corrosion codes: S and C marks deserve a closer look, especially underneath the car.
- Mileage warnings: any note that the odometer has been replaced or the reading is uncertain.
- Mechanical comments: notes about engine noise, oil leaks, warning lights or transmission issues.
- A mismatch with the ad: a listing that describes the car as perfect when the sheet shows otherwise.
How to Read an Auction Sheet in Three Steps
Check the Grades
Look at the overall and interior grades first, and note any R or RA marking.
Study the Diagram
Find each damage code, note its size, and check where any repairs or rust are.
Read the Notes
Go through the inspector's comments and compare the kilometres and year with the listing.
How 4Guys Uses Auction Sheets
At 4Guys Autobarn we only buy Japanese auction vehicles graded 4 or above. Every Japanese import we bring in comes with its original auction sheet, the independent condition report written by the auction house's own inspectors, and we keep it on file for every vehicle. Ask us and we will give you a copy, whether you are paying cash or using finance.
Every import then goes through VINZ and Drivesure entry compliance before it is registered in New Zealand. Our guides to import compliance explained and Japanese import vs NZ-new explain the rest of the process, and you can read about Japanese import car finance.
Japanese Import Specialists in Hamilton
Japanese imports are at the heart of what we do. If you are interested in a car on our yard, or one that is still on its way from Japan, we are happy to walk you through its auction sheet so you know exactly what you are buying.
Visit us at 20 Arthur Porter Drive in Hamilton, open seven days, or start online: browse our current stock and apply for finance. Not local? We offer delivery anywhere in New Zealand.
Frequently Asked Questions
- An auction sheet is the condition report written by the auction house's own inspectors when a vehicle goes through a Japanese car auction. It records the overall grade, interior grade, kilometres, equipment and any marks, dents, rust or repairs on a diagram of the car.
- Grade 4 is generally seen as a good used car with normal minor marks for its age. Grade 4.5 and 5 are better again, while 3.5 and below show more wear or repair. At 4Guys we only buy Japanese auction vehicles graded 4 or above.
- R and RA mean the vehicle has recorded repair history. RA is generally used for a more minor repair than R, but exact definitions vary between auction houses, so read the inspector's notes to see what was repaired.
- The letter shows the type of damage and the number shows its size or severity. For example, A is a scratch, U is a dent, W is a repaired or repainted area and S is rust. A1 is a small scratch, while A3 is a much larger one.
- The interior is graded with a letter, usually from A to D or E. A means the interior is like new, while lower letters indicate more wear, stains, tears or other damage.
- The auction sheet records the odometer reading at the time of sale and may flag doubtful or replaced odometers. Comparing it with the current reading and the car's history helps confirm the kilometres are genuine.
- Japanese sheets often use imperial era years. In the Reiwa era, add 2018 to the number, so R5 is 2023. In the Heisei era, add 1988, so H30 is 2018.
- Yes. Every Japanese import we bring in comes with its original auction sheet, which we keep on file. We are happy to give you a copy on request, whether you are paying cash or using finance.
