To check a Japanese car’s history, match its chassis number across the auction sheet, the export certificate and the car itself. Then compare the mileage on each document and read the auction sheet for repair history. A trustworthy exporter will send you these documents before you pay.
Key takeaways
- Japanese-market cars are identified by a chassis (frame) number, which is often not a 17-character VIN. Use it for every check.
- The auction sheet and the export certificate are your two main history documents. The chassis number, dates and mileage should agree.
- History reports from services built for North American cars usually know little about a car that lived in Japan.
1. Start with the chassis number
Every check starts with the chassis number. Most cars built for the Japanese market carry a chassis (frame) number made of a model code and a serial number, for example “NZE141-1234567”. It is not always a 17-character VIN.
The same number must appear on the car’s body plate or frame, the auction sheet, the export certificate, the invoice and the bill of lading. If a seller cannot give you the chassis number, or it differs between documents, do not pay.
2. Read the auction sheet
The auction sheet is the most detailed history document for a car sold at a Japanese auction. The auction’s own inspectors write it before the sale, and it records:
- the overall grade, where R means repair history to the car’s frame or structure
- a damage map with codes for scratches, dents, repairs and replaced panels
- the mileage, sometimes with a symbol if the odometer was replaced or the true mileage is unknown
- notes on how the car was used (private, rental or business) and the inspector’s comments
Codes vary a little between auction houses. Our auction sheet guide explains each part, and the auction sheet decoder translates the codes.
Ask the exporter to send the sheet directly. A picture forwarded by a stranger can be edited, so check that its chassis number matches the car you are buying.
3. Check the export certificate
The export certificate is the official Japanese document issued when the car’s registration is cancelled for export. It shows the chassis number, model code, engine model and date of first registration. Many certificates also show odometer readings recorded at past inspections.
It does not list accidents or service work. See our guide to the Japan export certificate for each field.
The date of first registration matters for countries with age limits. Kenya, for example, counts the age rule by the year of first registration.
4. Cross-check the mileage
Mileage is the history detail buyers worry about most, and the way to check it is to compare sources.
- Compare the auction sheet mileage with any readings on the export certificate. They should rise over time, never fall.
- Compare both with the photo of the odometer and, on arrival, with the car itself.
- Check that the wear fits the mileage: pedals, steering wheel, driver’s seat and tyres.
If your country requires a pre-export inspection, the inspection company also records the odometer reading. For Kenya, QISJ does this, but it does not guarantee that the odometer was never tampered with. See how the QISJ inspection works.
After the first two checks, you can compare cars in our current stock. Ask our sales team for the auction sheet or inspection details of any car you shortlist.
5. Look at service records, if the car has them
Some Japanese cars come with a maintenance record booklet from the dealer or garage. It shows dates, mileage and work done.
Many cars do not have one, and a missing booklet alone is not a warning sign. If a booklet exists, check that its mileage fits the other documents.
6. Use auction-history services carefully
Paid online services can search past Japanese auction records by chassis number. They may show earlier auction sheets, photos and mileage for the same car. This can reveal whether a car was sold before with a different grade or mileage.
Use them carefully:
- Use a well-known service, and check that the report’s chassis number matches your car.
- A report with no records is not proof of a clean history. Not every car went through an auction.
- History services built for North America mostly cover cars registered there, so they rarely know a Japanese car’s past.
7. Check for recalls
Recalls are repairs a maker does free because of a safety defect. Japanese makers’ Japanese-language websites usually let you check by chassis number, and Japan’s transport ministry (MLIT) publishes recall notices.
After import, ask the local dealer for that brand whether the recall work can be done in your country.
8. Have the car checked when it arrives
Documents tell you the history, and a mechanic tells you the present. After clearing, have a mechanic you trust check the underside, suspension, engine, gearbox and electrics before long trips.
If the car arrives with damage that was not on the documents, take photos at once and contact the exporter in writing.
Red flags
- The seller will not share the chassis number, auction sheet or export certificate before payment.
- The chassis number or mileage differs between documents.
- The “auction sheet” looks edited, blurred where the numbers are, or comes only from a third party.
- You are asked to pay a personal account or an account outside Japan. Read how to avoid scams when buying cars from Japan.
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a Carfax check on a car from Japan?
You can try, but Carfax mainly holds records for cars registered in North America. For a Japanese-market car, the auction sheet and the export certificate are far more useful.
Does the export certificate show accident history?
No. It shows identity and registration details and often past odometer readings. Repair history is on the auction sheet.
Where do I find the chassis number on the car?
It is stamped on the body or frame, often in the engine bay, and shown on a plate. Your exporter can photograph it for you.
Will Autocom Japan send me the documents before I pay?
Ask our sales staff for the auction sheet and vehicle details of the car you choose, and check them before you pay the invoice.
