# Buying a Japanese car from the auctions can be quite scary, in fact buying anything sight unseen can be scary! This is why there is an auction grading sheet with every vehicle auction in Japan.

Unfortunately I'm unable to read and understand Japanese so I cannot make heads or tails of the written issues but I can get by knowing how the grading and marking system works.

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmaaiPikUd6rqpthVy65qaU2Nk2hQWhtQfbi3tsyWhJS4k/image.png)

> For example the above auction sheet I can tell you right off the bat that the car has had a body panel replaced. Has a few minor dents and scratches and a fairly rated interior and exterior. How do I know this? Easy.. below is the decoding sheet.

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmXxXenc5FxMBVSx5TG9FqN1fQjsvNcK5hQH2iMb2GApd5/image.png)

**A1** Small scratch often negligible
**A2** Larger scratch possibly only clearcoat damage
**A3** Very large scratch often paint deep

**E1** Small dent negligible
**E2** A few small dents in a close by area
**E3** Many small dents

**U1** Single Small Dent
**U2** Dent
**U3** Big Dent

**W1** Repaired paintwork negligible
**W2** Repair paintwork visible
**W3** Repair paintwork must be repaired bad workmanship

**S1** Small rust
**S2** larger rust

**C1** Corrosion
**C2** Visible Corrosion

**B1** Small defect on bumper size of thumb
**B2** Large noticeable defect on bumber

**Y1** Small crack
**Y2** Crack
**Y3** Big Crack

**X1** Crack on windshield 1cm

**R** Repaired cracon on windshield
**RX** Replace windshield

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> Now there are a few other things to look out for on the auction sheets which will assist you in making the right purchase

Auction Grade rating, these are between 1(E) and 5(A). 1 being a complete wreck and 5 being less than 12 months old with less than 10,000km essentially a brand 
new car.

5     - Less than 10,000km
4.5 - Very high grade, minor repair work to get it to a top grading
4     - Vehicle may have scratches and dents but is in above average condition, can be repaired easily
3     - Noticeably large scratches and scraped, possible paint blemishes and may have large dents
2     - Very bad condition but still passes as a driving legal car
1     - A complete wreck
RA  - Minor accident damage, repaired very well
R     - Accident damage, repaired but can be repaired better 

Interior grading and Exterior is graded with A - E.

A     - New condition
B     - Minor repairs are not needed but can be done
C     - Possible interior tears missing dash screws, warped dashboard (This is probably the most misleading grade as it 
          also could mean that the interior is dirty and just needs a wash)
D     - Multiple cigarette burn marks in the interior, dashboard major warp,dirty patches remain after cleaning.
E     - Major tears, bad interior smell and very dirty interior needing to be replaced

A few abbreviations to take note of

FAT   - Fully Automatic
F5     - 5 Speed Manual transmission
F6     - 6 Speed Manual transmission
PS     - Power Steering
AC     - Air Conditioning
PW    -  Power Windows
KAWA - Leather Seats

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmTbqK4qJpiHyrXncu184gMR3EHii2gMtmziVSZMGvYcUF/image.png)

I hope the above guide will give you good idea of what you could potentially be bidding on and assist you from making poor mistakes.

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