What sections are included in the Japanese car auction sheet?
Vehicle information
When you read the car auction sheet, one of the key elements you want to focus on is the car info. Generally, the auction sheet will include all the details related to the car, from its engine type to the vehicle identification number, manufacturing year, and make/model, as well as the tire condition. It’s very important to check this info, as you will see if the car matches the outlined specifications.
Mileage
It’s extremely important to have a good understanding of how much use the car had to deal with. And you can see that through the mileage. Check the Japanese auction sheet and see if the car’s mileage matches what’s in the sheet. Sometimes, sellers will tamper with the mileage, making it seem that the car didn’t get that much use. Thankfully, you rarely see mileage discrepancies when it comes to car auctions, but they can appear at times.
Comments from the inspector
An inspector will always check the car before an auction. They will see whether the car needs any repairs or if it has any noticeable problems. Common problems include oil leaks, stone chips, worn tires, or anything like that. You can use a translation service to check and see these comments in English, or you can ask our staff, as we will help right away. In general, you want to assess the inspector’s comments so you can understand whether there are certain problems with the vehicle or not.
Repair history
Within the Japanese car auction sheet, you can also find a repair history section. If the car underwent repairs or was in an accident beforehand, you will see that mentioned in the auction sheet. Generally, if you see the RA or R grades, that means the car was involved in an accident and underwent repairs. It’s imperative to check this section, mainly because you can see what repairs were made, if the car was in an accident or not, if there were structural repairs done, or just minor ones, etc.
Car diagram
The car diagram or damage map is important because it uses symbols and letters to mark any repairs or damage found on the vehicle. Generally, you can find the following symbols:
- “A“ pertains to scratches, A1 are small scratches, A2 or more are larger.
- If you see “U”, this pertains to dents, and the same criteria as above will apply.
- “Y” means that you have dents with some scratches.
- “W” means you have a wavy surface, and a lot of the time, that comes from improper or rushed repairs.
- “P” usually pertains to paintwork being applied to the car recently. That means the car was repainted, so you don’t have the original car anymore.
- “X” shows that a specific part of the vehicle is damaged, and you have to replace it. If you see ”XX”, that usually means the panel was damaged as well.
Auction grade
Another thing to note when seeing the Japanese auction sheet is the auction grade. You want to pay attention to this grade because it showcases the overall condition of the vehicle. The highest grade you can get is 6, and the lowest one is 0. Here’s what each grade means:
- Grade 6 is provided to cars that are in almost perfect condition and have little mileage
- Cars with grade 5 have minimal wear and are also very new.
- Grade 4.5 is offered to slightly used cars with a bit of wear, whereas grade 4 is for cars in good condition, but which have some dents or minor damage.
- Grade 3.5 is only suitable for cars that have very moderate wear and tear. If you have heavy wear and minor repairs necessary, that’s where grade 3 comes into play.
- When a car is in bad condition and needs immediate repairs, then it pertains to grade 2.
- Grade R or RA is, as we said, showing that the car was involved in an accident, but it underwent repairs.
- If the vehicle was modified, then it will be added to grade 0.
Optional features
We should also note that the Japanese auction sheet integrates other information, like any optional features that the vehicle includes. It’s a good idea to check this section, because you can see what extra benefits you get with the vehicle purchase. That being said, common features include a navigation system, leather interior, a sunroof, improved engines, special wheel types, etc.
Other things that could be included
Of course, depending on the auction, you can find a variety of information being added. That might include:
- In certain cases, sellers can add their remarks. That can be anything from them being the first/only owner, the car needing repairs, them being a non-smoker, etc.
- Some auctions will include the lot number and extra identification info, so you can easily find the vehicle on a larger lot.
- Certain inspectors will also showcase the maintenance records of the vehicle..
Tips to help you understand and make the most out of a Japanese auction sheet
Once you have access to the Japanese auction sheet, there are a few, yet important things we recommend doing:
- Study the current grade of the car, as it will help you figure out if any repairs are needed. As always, you want to go for the highest possible grade, according to your existing budget.
- When buying a car at a Japanese auction, it’s crucial to study the inspector’s comments. The inspector will highlight various problems with the car, be it engine issues, leaks, wear and tear, or anything like that.
- Also, make sure that you are checking the damage map. That will help you narrow down any signs of damage and how extensive the damage is. Once you know that, it will be much easier to understand whether the car needs extra work, lots of repairs, or requires a bit of TLC, but nothing too major.
- We always recommend checking the interior’s grade as well. That’s because it will show whether you must change the interior, or if it just needs a good cleanup.
- As we mentioned earlier, some people will try to reset the mileage, and that’s why you want to check the car’s records, then compare them with the current mileage. Ideally, you don’t want to see any discrepancies.
- Another good idea is to try and use the auction sheet to compare similar models, and then see which car is the best option for you.
- While checking the auction grade is important, you always want to check the inspector notes and the damage map for more specific and detailed information.
- Also, try to work with a trusted exporter/agent. That way, you can prevent any costly mistakes or issues that might arise.
Whenever you want to buy a used car from Japanese car auctions, it’s crucial to check the auction sheet. Focus on all the details, especially the damage map, car grade, options, current state, mileage, and so on. That will help you make an informed decision and prevent any issues that could arise. The Japanese auction sheet is extremely useful; you just have to use that information correctly!
