There are different auto auctions all over Japan and grading system may differ a little from each other. Please always ask for the translation to understand everything about the car you wish to buy.
Overall Grading:
S – Means that the vehicle you are looking at is as new. Registration date is no longer than 1 year, speedometer shows less than 10,000 km or more often smaller.
6 – Identify almost new cars, where the registration date is up to 3 years. Mileage varies till 30,000 km, generally till 10,000 km. On some auction pages, you may find a few almost invisible scratches.
5 – Signify used car in excellent condition. Speedometer shows up to 50,000 km. On the body, there may be a few small scratches, also may appear little dents.
4.5 – Still high demandable vehicle. Speedometer shows mileage up to 100,000 km. Also, may be some scratches or dents and a little chance to find a car with repair marks or changed body parts.
4 – The car has not been in an accident. Speedometer could show up to 150,000 km. May occur visible scratches; in the interior, may be found tears, cigarette holes, or stains.
3.5 – Define car where you could find noticeable scratches, dents, rust, or corrosion (rare). Inside the vehicle often appear tears, cigarette holes, stains.
3 – Indicate cars with visible huge scratches, dents, paint stains, rust, and corrosion. Interior full of tears, cigarette holes, or food stains.
2 – Usually means lots of rust and corrosion but may be found all kinds of breakdowns. Generally, signify that the vehicle is in terrible condition.
1 – As a rule, flooded vehicles.
RA – Car which has been fixed after an ordinary car crash.
R – Usually vehicle from a serious car crash. This car may be repaired but probably needs more fixing. Note that this car may be immovable.
*** (99, x, etc.) – This vehicle has been in an accident or has some serious engine trouble and was not fixed.
Interior Grading:
A – Described as new vehicle’s condition.
B – Signify car in good condition; as a rule, the interior looks nice and tidy.
C – Inside the car could be found small food stains or cigarette holes.
D – Inner vehicle consists of cigarette marks, stains, tears, or even smell.
E – Interior of the car is terrible. Grade E means all mentioned above and even worse.
Exterior Grading:
A – Represent an awesome exterior condition.
B – Could be found scratches up to 15 cm but usually smaller.
C – Signify vehicle with scratches up to 30 cm or dents.
D – Define visible scratches, rust, or even corrosion.
E – An awful car condition. It’s all about rust, corrosion, and all variety of exterior breakdowns.
Next Abbreviations Found on the Auction List:
AAC – Climate Control Air Conditioner
AC – Air Conditioner
AIRBAGU – Airbag
AW – Original Alloy Wheels
CA – Column Automatic Transmission
F5 – 5 Speed Manual Transmission
F6 – 6 Speed Manual Transmission
FA/AT – Automatic Transmission
KAWA – Leather seats
NAVI – Navigator
PS – Power Steering
PW – Power Windows
SR – Sunroof
TV – Television
Signs for Exterior (Used in Auction Lists):
A – Scratch
E – Dimple
U – Dent
W – Repair Mark
S – Place with Rust
C – Place with Corrosion
P – Paint blemish
H – Paint dissolved
X – Body part required to be replaced (has no number, located on the chassis)
X – Cleavage on the Window (Usually with the number, located on the windows)
XX – Body part has been replaced
B – Dent and scratch
Y – Crack or Hole
R – Repaired Cleavage on the Window
RX – Repaired Cleavage on the Window (needs to be replaced)
