How do Japanese Auctions Grade cars?

What is an Auction grade ?

Have you experienced purchased a car through web and was not exactly what you expected.

If you are buying cars from auctions or from a dealer you need to know how the auction grading system works.

Frankly speaking repaired cars sell for a lot cheaper than non repaired cars. If cars is listed as someones stock, it is always a good idea to ask the dealer to show you the original auction Inspection Sheet.

If they refuse, you know what that they are up to something.

Auction Grading is graded out of 6.

Here is the explanation of the auction grading.

Especially you need to know about R,0, RA repaired grades. The car might have had an accident  and might had repairs that you do not know about.

Grading Information

• S Superior to Grade 6 or higher
• 6 or higher is as good as new. Exterior and interior are in immaculate condition. Some cars in these grades have never been driven.
• 5 – The car doesn’t need repair. The car has been repaired slightly, and the repair is in very good condition. No body parts have been changed.
• 4.5 – The car has been repaired slightly, and the repair is in good condition. It becomes a grade-5 car with slight repair. There are a few slight scratches or dents.
• 4 – The car is in good overall condition, but there are a few scratches or dents.
• 3.5 – The car has some conspicuous scratches or dents. The cars head-light support panel or back panel may have been repaired.
• 3 – The car has many conspicuous scratches or dents. The car has some paint blemishes.
• 2 – The car is in very bad condition
• 1 – The car which may have one of the following
  1. An aftermarket turbo
  2. An automatic transmission converted to manual transmission
  3. Flood damage
• RA The car has had accident damage which can be ranked MINOR, and has been repaired.
• R A car which has had accident damage, and been repaired. The auction definition “A car which has had accident damage” is a car where some parts or panels have been repaired or replaced or need to be repaired or replaced (or has some visible marks from frame damage) :
  1. Lower Tie Bar or Frame
  2. Windshield Piller (A Piller
  3. Center Piller (B Piller)
  4. Rear Piller (C Piller)
  5. Strut Housing
  6. Roof Panel
  7. Trunk flooring Panel
  8. Floor Pan
• *** /0 – The car has had accident damage, and has NOT been repaired. Or a car with  major engine trouble.

Next week, I will explain you the different panels of the body and how to find accident cars.

Tags: Auction Grades, Grading, Inspection Sheet
Category: Car Auctions