All cars sold at auction are given a grade. This ranges from 1.0 to 5.0, with 5.0 indicating ‘as new’ condition and 1.0 indicating ‘very poor’ condition. In reality, condition ratings seen at auction generally range from 3.0 for cars that are pretty rough to 4.5 for something in immaculate condition.

 

The system of grading varies across Japan but the following table provides a rough guide to the system used. Often interior and exterior condition are graded separately, and sometimes an A, B, C, D system is used for interior grading, with 'A' being the best. Rated '0' cars are those that have been accident damaged and repaired.

 

 

Grade 5
Showroom perfect

 

Grade 4
Above average condition for its age.

 

Grade 3
Average condition for its age.

 

Grade 2
Below average condition for its age.

 

Grade 1
Poor Condition.

 

Grade 0
Accident vehicle, but repaired, good enough for running.

 

Ratings of 4.5 and 5 are basically reserved for cars between 0 and 12 months old with very low km's. For cars over 5 years old you just don’t see many grade 4.5 examples because it can take only a minor scratch to mark them down to a 4.0.

 

Sometimes vehicles available through suppliers in Japan have been obtained wholesale direct from Japanese dealers, and have not been bought at auction. Some of these have never been graded. This is where the experience of the buyers giving advice on a particular car comes in.

 

Their overall judgment of the vehicle and whether blemishes that have marked down the grading are minor or serious will be assessed and passed on to the customer.

 

When cars are purchased, our Japanese colleagues take care to de register, transport and assure cars are ready for the next available shipment at one of the various loading ports.

 

Regular shipments sail from Japan to the UK weekly. Shipments take 4-6 weeks.