Reading a Japanese Auction Sheet: A Line-by-Line Guide for European Buyers

A Japanese auction sheet contains everything you need to know about a car before bidding — if you can read it. This guide walks through every section of a typical USS or TAA sheet with English translations and practical interpretation for European buyers.

Sheet header: vehicle identity

The top of every auction sheet contains vehicle identity fields:

• Manufacturer and model (メーカー・車名): written in Katakana or Kanji
• Chassis number (車台番号): Japanese VIN, usually 6 to 12 characters
• Grade or trim (グレード): the specific spec designation
• Registration date (初度登録): first Japanese registration in Japanese era (Heisei H, Reiwa R) or Gregorian
• Displacement (排気量): engine capacity in cc
• Colour (色): code and Japanese description
• Colour change indicator (色替): "有" means colour has been changed from original

Odometer reading and status

Mileage is recorded in kilometers with a status indicator:

• Number followed by 確 (kaku): odometer confirmed against maintenance records
• Number followed by ? (question mark): odometer status uncertain, treat with caution
• 戻し表示 (modoshi hyoji): odometer has been reset or replaced
• 不明 (fumei): mileage unknown

For European import, target only 確 (confirmed) cars unless the discount justifies the risk.

Overall grade and interior grade

Two grades appear prominently on every sheet:

• Overall grade: single number 1 to 6 (or S), or a letter (R, RA)
• Interior grade: letter A, B, C, or D

Combined notation looks like "4B" meaning overall grade 4 with interior B. This is the sweet-spot enthusiast import combination.

Auction sheet diagram: the body outline

The centrepiece of every auction sheet is a top-down outline of the car body with marks indicating specific issues. Standard diagram sections:

• Front bumper
• Bonnet
• Front left wing / fender
• Front left door
• Rear left door
• Rear left wing
• Rear bumper
• Boot lid
• Right side mirror image of left
• Roof

Diagram marks decoded

Damage marks

• A1: small scratch, under 20mm, buffs out
• A2: medium scratch, 20 to 50mm, may need touch-up
• A3: large scratch, over 50mm, paint repair needed
• A4: deep scratch penetrating to primer or metal
• U1 to U4: dents graded by size (U1 is coin-sized, U4 is significant)
• E1 to E4: multiple dents/scratches in an area

Paint and finish marks

• W1 to W3: paint condition (W1 slight, W3 needs repaint)
• P: pitted paint surface
• Y: plastic crack (typically bumpers)
• B: paint blister
• R: repainted (this specific panel)

Corrosion marks

• S1 to S3: rust graded by severity (S1 surface, S3 through)
• C1 to C3: corrosion graded by severity
• H: hole from corrosion

Replacement marks

• X: panel requires replacement
• XX: panel has been replaced
• C: component replaced

Structural repair section

Below or beside the body diagram, sheets note any structural repair. Common notation:

• フレーム修正 (frame shusei): chassis frame repair
• ラジエターサポート交換 (radiator support kokan): radiator support replacement (front-end accident indicator)
• フロントサイドメンバー修正: front side member repair (major front accident)
• リアフロア修正: rear floor repair (major rear accident)
• ピラー修正: pillar repair (severe accident indicator)

Any structural repair notation converts the grade to R or RA and requires careful evaluation. Structural repair on modern cars can be done well or done poorly; the grade alone does not tell you which.

Interior condition detail

Beyond the interior letter grade, detailed interior notes cover:

• シート状態 (seat condition): wear, tears, stains, burns
• ダッシュ状態 (dashboard condition): cracks, sun damage
• ステアリング (steering wheel): wear indicators
• 天井 (headliner): stains, sag
• 電装 (electrical): all functions working (エアコン AC, ナビ navigation, オーディオ audio)
• タバコ臭 (tobacco smell): if present, deduct from interior grade

Equipment abbreviations

Standard equipment codes appear as short abbreviations:

• AC: air conditioning
• PS: power steering
• PW: power windows
• SR: sunroof
• AW: aluminium wheels
• ABS: anti-lock braking system
• AB: airbags
• キーレス: keyless entry
• ETC: electronic toll collection (Japan-only device, remove for export)
• ナビ: navigation (Japanese-market unit, may need replacement)

Auctioneer notes (最終欄)

The bottom of the sheet contains inspector observations that did not fit standard notation. Read these carefully. Common observations:

• Tobacco smell in cabin
• Aftermarket parts (wheels, exhaust, ECU)
• Service history availability
• Number of previous keepers
• Specific mechanical concerns

What we do with an auction sheet

Every car we shortlist gets sheet translation and expert review. We flag any structural repair, unclear odometer, tobacco use, or aftermarket modification before we bid. If any of these appear on a sheet, you know before you commit money. Start your brief and we shortlist cars matching your target grade with English-translated sheets attached.

FAQ

Why source through Big Boy Whips

Every EU car import involves navigating a country-specific tax code, homologation process, and shipping logistics. Get any one of them wrong and the maths turns against you. Get them right and the savings can be substantial. We handle all of it, end to end.

• We advise before you buy. We tell you exactly which cars work economically for your country and which do not, before you spend a euro. Every quote we issue includes country-specific tax projections so there are no surprises.
• We negotiate on the UAE side. UAE-side purchase price is where most of the value is created. Our dealer relationships, auction access, and sourcing volume unlock pricing individual foreign buyers cannot access.
• We inspect every car ourselves. 248-point pre-purchase mechanical, cosmetic, and diagnostic inspection with full photo and video documentation. You approve before we pay the seller.
• We handle every document. Mulkiya transfer, UAE export certificate, bill of lading, marine insurance, customs entry, destination-country tax filings, and homologation coordination. You never touch a form.
• We ship with tracked, insured freight. Enclosed container for high-value cars, RoRo for volume. Sohar routing coordinated on every shipment given current Strait conditions. Marine insurance to full declared value.
• We deliver to your door. Registered plates, cleared paperwork, keys in your hand. Anywhere in Europe.

Ready to see the true landed cost of your dream car for your country? Send us your brief and a senior advisor comes back within 24 hours with a full landed-cost projection and honest recommendation.