How to Read Japanese Auction Vehicle Condition Reports

When receiving an inspection report (which I'll typically translate for you), the key points to focus on are:

1. Rating: Generally, I only recommend vehicles rated 4 or above. These show signs of use but have no significant flaws affecting appearance or performance. The vehicle pictured here has a rating of 4.5, corresponding to “Very good vehicle condition with minor scratches or dents.”

2. The interior rating below the overall score is graded A, B, or C. Grade B indicates minor signs of use without damage or severe wear.

3. Mileage: Ensure it meets your needs. Generally, used cars under 100,000 kilometers pose no concerns regarding engine or transmission issues. We will also inspect the vehicle before purchase and provide a report to confirm no quality problems exist.

4. Notes: This section indicates issues with vehicle documentation or specific configurations. If left blank, no special concerns exist.

5. Vehicle Condition Report: “ツートスレ” indicates minor wear on the driver's seat interior, hence the interior grade of B. “小キズ” refers to minor scratches that do not require bodywork and are not noticeable.

6. Vehicle Diagram: Primarily indicates locations of minor exterior scratches. Marked “A” on the rear bumper indicates an inconspicuous scratch that can be repaired with touch-up paint. Marked “A1” on the front bumper indicates another extremely minor scratch requiring no special treatment.

In summary, this is a used vehicle with minor cosmetic imperfections, low mileage, and signs of use. After preparation, it will command a favorable selling price with reasonable profit potential.

This represents a crucial analysis of the vehicle condition report. In Japanese used car auctions, such information is standard and transparent. All issues highlighted are genuine defects present in the vehicle. Japanese cars are highly reliable, which in turn underpins the reliability of the used car market, allowing you to purchase with confidence and conduct business with peace of mind.

I'm Michael, a Japanese used car auctioneer dedicated to saving my clients time, money, and hassle.

In my next article, I'll break down each grading system and showcase an S-grade vehicle condition.