Japan Auction Sheets Explained: How to Read Grades Like a Pro
Every vehicle sold through a Japanese auction receives a single-page inspection document before it crosses the block. This sheet — the auction inspection report — is the closest thing to an objective condition record that exists in the used vehicle market.
Importers who know how to read it buy confidently. Importers who don’t get surprised at the port.
This guide decodes every element.
What Is a Japanese Auction Sheet?
A Japanese auction inspection sheet is a standardized condition report completed by a trained inspector at the auction house before each vehicle sale. The inspection typically takes 15–30 minutes per vehicle and covers mechanical, exterior, interior, and documentation checks.
The result is a single-page document with:
- A numerical overall grade (1–5, with half grades)
- A letter grade for interior condition
- A vehicle silhouette marked with damage location codes
- Handwritten inspector notes in Japanese
- Odometer reading with verification status
- Key features and equipment checklist
The sheet follows you through the import process. It’s what the seller presents, what agents review, and what compliance inspectors reference when assessing a vehicle’s declared condition.
The Major Japanese Auction Houses
USS (Used Car System Services) — the largest auction network in Japan, operating 14 venues. USS vehicles are among the most frequently exported because of USS’s extensive network and standardized inspection protocols.
TAA (Toyota Auto Auction) — Toyota-affiliated. Tends toward Toyota and Lexus stock, often dealer-consigned. Generally high-quality inspection standards.
JAA (Japan Auto Auction) — regional focus, strong in Kanto and Tohoku regions. Known for commercial vehicles including kei trucks.
JU (Japan Used Motor Vehicle Dealers Association) — federation of regional auctions operated by used car dealers. Large volume, mixed quality of inspection documentation.
Aucnet — online platform that photographs and grades vehicles at dealer locations rather than a central auction yard. Increasingly popular for nationwide reach.
HAA Kobe / CAA Chubu — Mazda and Mitsubishi-affiliated respectively. Consistent grading for their respective brands.
Each house uses the same core grading system (with minor variations) because it emerged from industry standardization in the 1990s.
The Overall Grade System
The overall grade is a composite score assigned by the inspector based on mechanical condition, exterior condition, interior condition, and documentation status.
| Grade | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 5 | Near new. Minimal or no defects. Typically low mileage, recent model year. |
| 4.5 | Excellent condition. Very minor cosmetic issues. |
| 4 | Good condition. Small scratches or minor blemishes only. |
| 3.5 | Above average. Noticeable but minor wear. Some small repairs may be present. |
| 3 | Average for age. Normal wear, small scratches, light interior wear. |
| 2 | Below average. More significant cosmetic damage, higher mileage, possible mechanical issues. |
| 1 | Poor condition. Significant damage, rust, or mechanical problems. Parts or repair vehicle. |
| R | Repaired. Vehicle has had significant bodywork or collision repair. Cosmetically repaired to a high standard. |
| RA | Repaired, assessed. Same as R but with specific assessment of repair quality. |
| S | Stolen recovery or flood damage. Used by some auction houses. |
Critical nuance: The overall grade reflects the worst condition aspect. A vehicle with Grade 5 mechanical condition but a repaired panel may receive an R grade overall. Read the damage section carefully rather than relying on the headline number.
Interior Grade (A–D)
The interior grade is assigned separately from the overall grade and reflects only the condition of the cabin.
| Grade | Condition |
|---|---|
| A | Very clean. No visible stains, tears, or significant wear. |
| B | Minor wear. Small scuffs, light stains, or normal age-related wear. |
| C | Noticeable wear. Stains, tears in upholstery, worn carpets, or moderate dashboard marks. |
| D | Poor interior. Significant damage, heavy staining, broken components, or strong odour. |
For EVs, the interior grade carries additional weight. A Grade A interior on a Nissan Leaf suggests the vehicle has been treated carefully — which often correlates with charging discipline and battery longevity, though this is not causal.
The Exterior Damage Code System
The exterior section of the auction sheet contains a simplified vehicle silhouette (top view and side views) with codes written at the location of each identified defect.
Damage Type Codes
| Code | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A | Scratch | Surface scratch, paint intact at edges |
| U | Dent | Panel deformation without paint break |
| W | Wave | Panel distortion, subtle ripple — often prior repair |
| C | Corrosion / Rust | Surface rust (C) or through-rust (deeper penetration) |
| X | Needs replacement | Panel too damaged to repair cost-effectively |
| S | Rust spots | Small surface rust points |
| P | Paint peel | Clearcoat failure or paint separation |
| E | Large dent | Significant deformation requiring panel replacement or major repair |
| R | Repaired area | Location of prior bodywork — look for adjacent W codes |
| Y | Rust hole | Structural concern — through-rust with penetration |
| B | Stone chips | Multiple small paint chips from road debris |
| G | Glass crack | Windscreen or window damage |
| F | Fog/Haze | Headlight or lens cloudiness |
Size Modifiers
Some auction houses add size qualifiers:
- Small (小) — minor, typically sub-10cm
- Medium (中) — moderate, 10–30cm
- Large (大) — significant, over 30cm
A code of U大 on a rear door means a large dent on the rear door — a major repair item.
Reading the Damage Map
The silhouette shows the vehicle from above (plan view) with numbered panels. Common numbering:
- 1 = Hood/Bonnet
- 2 = Roof
- 3 = Left front fender
- 4 = Right front fender
- 5–8 = Door panels (left front, right front, left rear, right rear)
- 9 = Left rear quarter panel
- 10 = Right rear quarter panel
- 11 = Trunk/Boot lid
- 12 = Bumpers (front/rear)
When the inspector writes A in position 3, that’s a scratch on the left front fender. When they write U in position 9, that’s a dent on the left rear quarter panel.
Multiple codes at the same location are common. A·U on the front bumper means a scratch and a dent on the same panel.
Mileage and Odometer Verification
The odometer reading appears on the sheet alongside a verification status:
- メーター正常 (Normal) — odometer reading is consistent with the vehicle’s condition and service history.
- メーター交換 (Replaced) — odometer was replaced at some point. The reading may be lower than actual mileage.
- 不明 (Unknown) — odometer verification was inconclusive.
For EVs, cross-reference the odometer with the battery degradation expected at that mileage. A Nissan Leaf with 80,000km typically retains 75–85% battery capacity depending on charging habits and climate. If the battery is at 60%, the odometer may be undercounting or the vehicle has been fast-charged heavily.
Inspector Comments: Common Japanese Terms Translated
The handwritten section at the bottom of the auction sheet contains the inspector’s specific observations. These are written in Japanese and often use abbreviations.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 走行距離 | Soko Kyori | Mileage/Odometer reading |
| 修復歴あり | Shufuku-reki Ari | Accident repair history present |
| 修復歴なし | Shufuku-reki Nashi | No accident repair history |
| エンジン異音 | Enjin Ino | Unusual engine noise |
| オイル漏れ | Oiru Mōre | Oil leak |
| タイヤ残量 | Taiya Zanryō | Tyre tread remaining |
| ミッション | Mission | Transmission (often followed by condition note) |
| フルノーマル | Furu Nōmaru | Fully standard/stock configuration |
| 喫煙車 | Kitsuensha | Smoking vehicle (interior) |
| ペット | Petto | Pet hair present |
| 電装系正常 | Denshōkei Seijō | Electrical systems normal |
| バッテリー交換済 | Batterī Kōkan-zumi | Battery replaced |
| 充電確認済 | Jūden Kakunin-zumi | Charging confirmed/verified |
For EVs, the last two lines are particularly significant. A バッテリー交換済 note means the traction battery was replaced — potentially positive (new battery) or concerning (premature failure warranting investigation).
Radiation Inspection Stamps (Post-Fukushima)
Following the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear incident, many Japanese auction houses introduced radiation monitoring for vehicles originating from or having spent time in affected prefectures (Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Miyagi, and surrounding areas).
Some auction sheets include a radiation check result, typically showing measurement in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h). Standard background radiation is 0.1–0.3 μSv/h. Vehicles from unaffected regions show readings consistent with background.
If the sheet shows a radiation check result significantly above background, or if the vehicle’s registration history includes prefectures close to the exclusion zone, this warrants investigation.
Most vehicles exported since 2013 have passed radiation checks as part of port inspection in Japan. The issue is largely resolved for modern stock but worth noting when examining sheets for older inventory.
6 Red Flags on Auction Sheets
1. R or RA grade with W codes near the grade R note. Wave marks adjacent to a declared repair area suggest the repair quality may be poor, or the “repaired” declaration may be understating the original damage.
2. Y code (rust hole) anywhere. Structural rust means the repair cost typically exceeds the value gained. Avoid unless you’re buying for parts.
3. Multiple C codes in column positions corresponding to wheel arches. Wheel arch rust is common, structurally significant, and expensive to address properly.
4. Odometer marked “replaced” without service history context. A replaced odometer without documentation of the true mileage is a meaningful unknown for battery health assessment on EVs.
5. Comments including エンジン異音 or any transmission note. Noise notes mean you’re buying a vehicle with a known mechanical issue. Factor repair costs into your bid or pass.
6. Interior Grade D combined with Overall Grade 4. A high overall grade with a poor interior is unusual and can indicate the inspector was grading primarily on exterior. Read all comments carefully.
How WATTSHIP’s Auction Sheet Decipher Works
The inspection sheet is in Japanese. The damage codes require a reference table. The inspector comments use abbreviations not in any standard dictionary. This is the information barrier that catches first-time importers.
WATTSHIP’s Auction Sheet Decipher processes the auction sheet image through Claude AI, trained on thousands of Japanese automotive inspection documents. It returns:
- Overall and sub-grades in clear language
- Every damage code with plain-language translation
- Inspector comments translated verbatim
- Estimated condition summary in your preferred language
The result is available to Elite Pilot members and above. One decipher per month on Elite Pilot. Five on Fleet Commander. Unlimited on Container Club.
If you’re looking at a vehicle and have the auction sheet URL, the Decipher tool is available directly from the Vehicle Detail Page.
Browse listings with auction grade data → JP Marketplace
Decipher your auction sheet → Available on Vehicle Detail Pages (Elite Pilot+)
Full import guide → How to Import an EV from Japan in 2026