Why auction grades matter
Japanese auction houses describe vehicle condition with an overall grade, exterior grade, interior grade, defect marks, and inspector notes. For overseas buyers, the auction sheet is often the first basis for deciding whether to bid.
A higher number is not always enough. R and RA indicate repair history, 4.5 does not mean perfect, and an exterior A with interior C can still change the real value. You need to read the whole sheet, not one score.
Core idea: the overall grade filters the car, exterior and interior grades explain cosmetic condition, defect marks locate issues, and inspector notes add risk details.
Overall grade: from S to RA
What do exterior A-E and interior A-E mean?
How to read defect marks on auction sheets
Letters and numbers on the vehicle diagram indicate issue type and severity. Each auction house may vary slightly, but common meanings include:
How to combine overall grade, exterior, and interior
| Combination | Condition | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| 4.5 / A / A | Excellent overall; usually expensive but clean. | Priority |
| 4 / B / B | Good standard car with balanced value. | Recommended |
| 3.5 / C / C | Visible flaws; budget buyers only. | Careful |
| R / B / B | Looks clean but has repair history. Location is critical. | Verify |
| RA / A / B | Light repair with good cosmetics; may be an opportunity. | Evaluate |
Do not read only the overall grade. Two grade-4 cars can be very different if one is A/A and the other is C/C. Repair location also matters far more than the letter R alone.
Overseas buyers usually need a local auction agent
Most Japanese auction houses are open only to licensed members. Ordinary overseas buyers cannot directly register and bid, so a local agent or exporter must confirm the sheet, quote the vehicle, and bid on your behalf.
A good agent should do more than click the bid button. They should explain the grade, identify risks, request extra photos or video when needed, and tell you whether the car is worth bidding on.
Key point: if an agent only sends the auction sheet without explaining R, RA, A3, U3, or XX, they are not suitable for high-value purchases.
Understand the grade
then let us bid for you
ClickCar can interpret auction sheets, verify condition, request extra on-site information, and judge whether a car is worth bidding on for your budget and use case.
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