Japan Pre-Owned Car Rating List

The following is designated rating list for all Japanese pre-owned vehicles as generally utilized by the nationwide Japan auction houses. Prior to auctions, the vehicles are given an unbiased & thorough check by the well trained staff of each auction house & a rating is given to each vehicle. Dealers only pay the auctions houses a set fee per sale, and not a commission, so they do not "fix" ratings. The name & reputation of the various auction houses are at stake as well. An auction slip is listed in each vehicle & our trained staff reviews & confirms this check. Due to the high reliability of these ratings, we are then able to carefully evaluate each vehicle you order and purchase accordingly. Overall, Japanese drivers are extremely particular about their vehicle appearance and cars are usually well maintained and regularly serviced. Service records are usually kept inside the cars, and we also report to you about this. 

As vehicle ratings decrease, a better purchase price can be obtained for a vehicle still in good to very good condition. Good value for money is usually found at ratings of either "3",  "3.5" or "4" for used vehicles 3, 5 or 7 years old, which is the normal time frame for trade-ins here in Japan. Also, please note that almost all vehicles in Japan come with air conditioning as a standard, and the average annual mileage on a vehicle is only about 8,000 miles per year, thus adding to the value of your purchase. 

Auction Rating:                       Definition:

S                                              Best rating afforded. The car  is new or less than 12 months old and in excellent, almost showroom condition. No repairs or work needed.

6                                               The car  is less than 36 months old, in excellent condition and no repairs or work needed.                

5                                               Age of car  varies with overall appearance and condition very good. With very minimal cleanup or very minor repair work, the vehicle will be as a rated "6".

4.5                                            Age of car varies with condition and appearance still very good. Vehicle may have up to a few small surface scratches and/or very small (almost unnoticeable) dings. With minimal repair work, the auto will be as rated as "5".

4                                               Age of car varies and overall condition and appearance still very good. Vehicle has a few small surface scratches and/or very small dings, which if repaired will make a rated "5" vehicle.

3.5                                            Age of car varies and overall condition is good. The car has slightly more noticeable surface scratches and/or small dings. Also, it may have a service history of parts' repairs and changes (such as brakes, clutch, tires, etc.).

3.0                                            Age of car varies and overall condition and appearance is fair. The car may have more noticeable surface scratches and/or small dings and usually has a service history of parts repaired or changed.

2.5                                            Age of car varies and overall condition and appearance is poor. It has larger dings or damage and needs repainting in whole or part. Usually sold very inexpensively. Could be useful for parts.

O                                              Age of vehicle varies. This is an accident condition vehicle that has usually been repaired by the manufacturer and usually paid in full by an Insurance company. Details of repair work, if any, are listed. This may just be a replaced bumper or fender, or a somewhat minor repair. Depending on the vehicle, some good discounts can be obtained on otherwise very good condition vehicles.