📘 Chapter 5: Understanding Car Auction Grades Before You Buy
📘 Chapter 5: Understanding Car Auction Grades Before You Buy
When importing a car from Japan, many Kenyan buyers rely on vehicle auctions to get the best deals. But unless you understand auction grades, you're walking blind into the process. This chapter explains what those numbers and letters — like Grade 4.5, RA, or R — really mean and how they affect the value, quality, and risk of the car you’re buying.
5.1 🏷️ What Are Car Auction Grades?
Japanese car auctions assign grades based on a car’s overall condition and past repair history. These grades help buyers quickly assess:
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Exterior/Interior condition
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Mileage
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Accident or repair history
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Mechanical state
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Age of the vehicle
Think of auction grades like a school report card. The closer to 5 or 6, the better the car.
5.2 📊 Auction Grade Table: What Each Grade Means
| Grade | Meaning | Condition Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | As good as brand new | Ultra-low mileage, flawless condition, usually <1 year old |
| 5 | Excellent condition | Near-new, no scratches, low mileage |
| 4.5 | Very good, minor signs of wear | Slight scratches, clean interior, no major damage |
| 4 | Good, used but well-maintained | Normal wear and tear, minor dings or scratches |
| 3.5 | Average, moderate wear | Noticeable wear, might need some light repairs |
| 3 | Below average | Heavier wear, fading, likely some mechanical attention |
| 2 | Poor condition | Rust, dents, possible mechanical problems |
| 1 | Modified or damaged car | Heavily altered or poor-quality repairs |
| RA | Repaired Accident car | Accident car but properly repaired |
| R | Accident car | Had accident damage; repairs may or may not be sufficient |
| 0 / A | Salvage or flood-damaged car | Avoid! Low value, high risk |
✅ Tip: Stick to Grade 4, 4.5, or 5 for best resale and low maintenance.
⚠️ Avoid Grade 3 and below unless you are buying to repair and resell.
5.3 📄 What’s on the Auction Sheet?
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll typically find:
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Grade (e.g. 4.5, R)
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Odometer Reading (e.g. 58,000 km)
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Year of Manufacture
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Transmission Type (Auto/Manual)
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Fuel Type (Petrol/Diesel/Hybrid)
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Interior/Exterior Condition Grade (A, B, C)
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Vehicle Diagram with Markings
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Inspector's Comments (in Japanese)
5.4 🧭 Auction Sheet Symbols (Translation Table)
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A1 | Small scratch |
| A2 | Medium scratch |
| U1–U3 | Dents (U = dent, number = size) |
| W1–W3 | Wave or panel distortion |
| P | Paint blemish or repaint |
| XX | Panel replaced |
| X | Damaged beyond repair |
| S / SR | Sunroof or Spoiler |
| Y1–Y3 | Cracks on glass or plastic |
5.5 🔍 Sample Auction Sheet Image
This is an example of an auction sheet for a Japanese vehicle. You can find these from your exporter or auction site before you buy.
5.6 🧠 Tips for Reading Auction Sheets Like a Pro
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Use Google Translate (camera mode) to translate handwritten Japanese comments.
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Ask your exporter or agent for a translated summary.
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Pay attention to interior grade (A = Excellent, C = Worn).
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Check for replaced panels (XX) — they reduce value.
5.7 💰 How Auction Grade Affects Price
| Grade | Effect on Price | Resale Value in Kenya |
|---|---|---|
| 5 or 6 | +KES 150K to 300K premium | Very high, almost like new |
| 4.5 | +KES 100K premium | High |
| 4 | Baseline | Good |
| 3.5 | -KES 100K to -150K discount | Medium, needs minor work |
| R / RA | -KES 200K to -300K discount | Risky; may be hard to resell |
5.8 🚩 Red Flags in Auction Listings
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"Accident History" noted in comments
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Missing auction sheet
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No photos of interior or underbody
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Unusually low mileage with poor grading (possible tampering)
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Exporter refuses to send original auction sheet
Always request the auction sheet BEFORE making payment. If it's missing — walk away.
5.9 📦 Where to Buy Auction Grade Cars Safely
Some trusted Japanese car auction platforms:
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BeForward.jp
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CarFromJapan.com
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SBTJapan.com
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AA Japan
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JapanCarDirect.com
These sites usually show the auction sheet, multiple photos, and full specs.
🛡️ Bonus: Use an Auction Sheet Verification Tool
You can verify authenticity of auction sheets at:
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