How to read a Japanese auction sheet
Auction sheets are the first professional inspection most Japanese imports go through. This guide explains the marks, grades, and abbreviations so you can judge condition before you buy in Kenya.
Download PDF guideWhat is an auction sheet?
Auction sheets are often the first inspection record when a used car leaves Japan for Kenya. Inspectors at USS, TAA, JU and other houses summarise condition, mileage, equipment, and damage at the moment of sale.
Formats differ between auction houses (USS, TAA, JU, etc.) and the original text is in Japanese. The diagrams use shorthand marks on a vehicle outline — once you learn the codes, you can spot damage, repairs, and grade quickly.
An auction sheet is a snapshot at sale time — not a guarantee of current condition. Always cross-check mileage history and physical inspection before paying.
Common auction sheet terms
Equipment, transmission, and odometer marks appear repeatedly across auction houses.
Equipment & accessories
| Mark | Meaning |
|---|---|
| AC | Air conditioner |
| AAC | Climate control air conditioner |
| PS | Power steering |
| SR | Sunroof |
| AW | Alloy wheels |
| PW | Power windows |
| TV | Television |
| カワ / 革 | Leather seats |
| AB / エアB | Airbag |
Transmissions
| Mark | Meaning |
|---|---|
| F6, 6MT, 6F | Manual (6-speed) transmission |
| F5, 5MT, 5F | Manual (5-speed) transmission |
| F4, 4MT, 4F | Manual (4-speed) transmission |
| C4, 4CMT, 4C | Manual (4-speed) column shift transmission |
| D5, 5D | Manual (5-speed) dashboard-mounted transmission |
| I5, 5I | Manual (5-speed) instrument panel shift transmission |
| CA, CAT | Column automatic transmission |
| FAT / AT | Floor automatic transmission |
| 5FAT | 5-speed floor automatic transmission |
| 6FAT | 6-speed floor automatic transmission |
| DAT | Dashboard-mounted automatic transmission |
| 5DAT | 5-speed dashboard-mounted automatic transmission |
| IAT | Instrument panel shift automatic transmission |
| 5IAT | 5-speed instrument panel shift automatic transmission |
Odometer reading authenticity
| Mark | Meaning |
|---|---|
| * | Odometer clocked or re-wound |
| ＄ | Speedometer replacement made with proof of mileage |
| # | Unknown mileage |
Vehicle defect marks
Inspectors place letter codes on the vehicle diagram. A number after the letter (e.g. A1, U2) indicates severity or affected area size — 1 is minor; 4 is the most severe.
| Mark | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A | Line scratch | Degrees: 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| U | Dent | Degrees: 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| B | Dent with scratches (panel beating and respray required) | Degrees: 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| P | Painting required, paint peeling, fading | Degrees: 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| W | Repair waves or traces | Degrees: 1, 2, 3 |
| S | Rust | Degrees: 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| C | Corrosion | Degrees: 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| X | Replacement required | Occasionally 1, 2, 3 depending on auction house |
| XX | Panel replaced | — |
| Y | Cracks or tears (mainly bumpers or side skirts) | Degrees: 1, 2, 3 |
| E | Tiny dent | None or 1, 2, 3 depending on auction house |
| x | Small crack on windshield | Used in some auctions |
| D | Crack | 1, 2, 3, T大, T多 — used in a few auctions |
| F | Paint peeling off | 1, 2, 3 — used in a few auctions |
| T | Cut | 1, 2, 3, T大, T多 — used in a few auctions |
| G | Chip or dots on windshield | Used in some auctions |
| H | Discolor or fade | 1, 2, 3 — used in a few auctions |
| L | Shifted | Used in a few auctions |
| O | Pushed in | Used in a few auctions |
| BP | Repaired trace or dent with paint blemish | Used in inspector comments |
How to read an auction sheet
Walk through this annotated sample for a Toyota Alphard (アファード) — overall grade 4.5, exterior B, interior B — then use the defect list below to decode each mark on the diagram.
Auction grades (top right)
4.5 is the overall grade. Left B = exterior, right B = interior — see grade tables below.
Inspector comments
Handwritten or typed notes in Japanese — extra context beyond the letter codes (e.g. aero kit, repairs).
Vehicle diagram (centre)
Top-down outline with damage marks on each panel. Match codes to the defect table above.
Overall grade
4.5
Exterior
B
Interior
B
On this sample sheet, the highlighted marks on the diagram mean:
- [A1] Right side of front bumper
Minor scratches — severity 1 is the smallest rating.
- [B2] Left side of front bumper
Dent with scratches — severity 2 is more visible, roughly palm-sized.
- [B1] Left front fender
Small dent with scratches.
- [A1] Left front fender
Small scratches.
- [A1] Left sliding door
Small scratches.
What is an auction grade?
The overall grade reflects mileage, interior, and exterior condition. Lower grades or special marks (R, RA, ***) often mean accident history or serious issues — read carefully before bidding.
Near factory-new
- Less than one year from first registration
- Under 10,000 km
- Perfect condition
Excellent, almost new
- Less than three years from first registration
- Under 30,000 km
- Perfect or near-perfect condition
Very good overall
- Under 50,000 km
- Minor scratches or marks on the body
- Possible interior stains, glue marks, burns, or breaks
Good with minor repairs
- Under 100,000 km
- More minor scratches than Grade 5
- Equivalent to Grade 5 with minor repairs
- Interior may have scorching, cracks, rubbing, or fading
Fair — visible wear
- Under 150,000 km
- Noticeable scratches and minor dents
- Interior defects that may require repair
Below average
- Mid or large dents and scratches needing repair or replacement
- Interior defects that may need replacement
- Possible outer welding panel replacement
Poor condition
- Large dents, scuffs, or scratches inside and out
- Possible major mechanical defects
Low commercial value
Disaster vehicle
- Submerged vehicle, extinguisher spray vehicle, etc.
Accident history
- Accident repaired or accident unrepaired car
Accident repaired
Light accident repaired
Severe risk
- Accident car or engine may not work
Interior & exterior grades
Shown separately on the sheet (often left = exterior, right = interior). Grade A is best; F is worst.
Interior grade
A
Slight flaws only
- Mileage within 30,000 km
- May have stains, scratches, or glue marks
B
Several minor defects
- Cigarette burns, cuts, or tears possible
C
Defects needing minor repair
- Cuts, tears, charred holes, glue marks
D
Conspicuous defects
- Repairs likely required
E
Obviously bad condition
- Major parts may need replacement (dashboard, headliner, seats)
F
Below Grade E
Exterior grade
A
Close to new
- Slight flaws
- Possible slight repair trace
B
Conspicuous flaws
- Small cracks on windshields or lights possible
- Large flaws on bumpers, glass, hood, or screens possible
C
Several conspicuous defects
- Noticeable dents
- Repair marks that may need re-repair
D
Defects requiring repair
- Noticeable corrosion
E
Many defects
- Extensive corrosion possible
F
Below Grade E
See the auction sheet for your chassis
Found a car you like? Enter the chassis number on karspec to pull auction-backed data — including the original inspection sheet when available in your report tier.