Tap a grade or a code from the car map on a Japanese auction sheet to see what it usually means. Codes differ a little between auction houses, so treat this as a guide and ask our office to translate the full sheet, including the inspector’s handwritten notes, before you pay.
Tap a code to see what it means
Overall grade
Interior grade
Damage codes on the car map
The number after a letter shows size: 1 small, 2 medium, 3 large. Some sheets also use 4.
Each auction house sets its own grading rules, so grades and codes differ slightly, and the same car can get a different grade at another auction. We show the most common meanings. Grades 1, 0 and *** and the windscreen codes (R, RX, X1) vary most; some guides read W as "wave" and P or H as paint problems. A grade describes the car on inspection day only and is not a guarantee. Ask our office to translate the full sheet, including the inspector's handwritten notes, before you pay.
Japanese words you will see on the sheet
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 評価点 (hyōkaten) | Overall grade |
| 内装 (naisō) | Interior (interior grade) |
| 外装 (gaisō) | Exterior (exterior grade) |
| 修復歴 (shūfuku-reki) | Repair history: frame or structure damage was repaired |
| 修復歴なし / 修復歴あり (shūfuku-reki nashi / ari) | No repair history / has repair history |
| 走行距離 (sōkō kyori) | Mileage (kilometres on the odometer) |
| 走行不明 (sōkō fumei) | Mileage unknown or could not be confirmed |
| メーター交換 (mētā kōkan) | Odometer (meter) has been replaced |
| メーター戻し (mētā modoshi) | Odometer rolled back (mileage tampering) |
| 初度登録 (shodo tōroku) | Year and month the car was first registered |
| 年式 (nenshiki) | Year of the car (usually first-registration year on sheets) |
| 車台番号 (shadai bangō) | Chassis (frame) number |
| 型式 (katashiki) | Model code |
| 排気量 (haikiryō) | Engine size in cc |
| 車検 (shaken) | Japanese roadworthiness inspection; sheet shows its expiry date |
| 特記事項 / 注意事項 (tokki jikō / chūi jikō) | Inspector's special notes and warnings |
| セールスポイント (sērusu pointo) | Selling points: options and equipment |
| 冠水 (kansui) | Flood damage (car was under water) |
| 禁煙車 (kin'en-sha) | Non-smoking car |
| タバコ臭 (tabako shū) | Tobacco smell inside |
| 下回り (shitamawari) | Underside of the car |
| 飛び石 (tobi-ishi) | Stone chip |
| 要交換 (yō kōkan) | Needs replacing |
| 記録簿 (kirokubo) | Service record book included |
| ワンオーナー (wan ōnā) | One previous owner |
| AT / FA / CA / MT | Automatic / floor-shift automatic / column-shift automatic / manual |
| AC / PS / PW | Air conditioning / power steering / power windows |
| SR / AW / ナビ / 革 | Sunroof / alloy wheels / navigation / leather seats |
Read more: how to read a Japanese auction sheet and auction grade 3.5 vs 4 vs 4.5.