📅 Category: Education & Tips | By: Clyde Motors KE | ⏱ 5 min read

In Blog #59 we introduced the Japanese vehicle auction grading system — explaining what grades mean and why they matter. In this post we go deeper with a practical, visual walk-through of how to actually read an auction sheet — decoding every element so that when a dealer presents you with one, you can evaluate it independently and confidently. This skill is one of the most valuable tools a Kenyan used car buyer can develop.

What an Auction Sheet Contains

A Japanese auction sheet is a standardised inspection document produced by an independent assessor at the time the vehicle is presented at auction. It contains the following elements on a single A4 document:

Vehicle identification information: Make, model, year of manufacture, chassis number, engine number, engine displacement, transmission type, and colour code. This information must exactly match the vehicle’s physical documentation and the logbook. Any discrepancy between the auction sheet and physical vehicle is a serious red flag.

Mileage reading: The odometer reading at time of inspection, in kilometres. This is the most basic verification tool for the seller’s stated mileage claim. Compare the auction sheet mileage to the current odometer — the difference should reflect only the mileage accumulated since the auction date.

Overall condition grades: The headline numbers covered in Blog #59 — exterior grade and interior grade. The exterior grade is a number from 1 to 5 (sometimes with increments of 0.5). The interior grade is a letter from A to D.

Equipment checklist: A series of checkboxes confirming whether the vehicle has air conditioning, power windows, power mirrors, navigation system, leather seats, sunroof, and other features. This confirms the actual specification of the vehicle you are evaluating.

Vehicle diagram with defect marks: The most information-rich element of the auction sheet. A line drawing of the vehicle from multiple angles — top view, front, rear, and both sides — with handwritten marks indicating every defect found during inspection.

Inspector’s comments: Free-form text notes, usually in Japanese, adding detail beyond what the diagram marks capture. A dealer or translator can decode these.

Decoding the Defect Marks — The Critical Skill

The diagram marks are a standardised language used across all major Japanese auction houses. Learning to read them takes thirty minutes and saves you from expensive surprises.

Paint and surface defects — A series: A1 — Light scratch. A very minor surface mark, typically polish-able. A2 — Scratch, moderate depth. May require touching up. A3 — Deep scratch. Will require professional paint repair to address properly.

Dent defects — E series: E1 — Very small dent, no paint damage. Panel beater work only. E2 — Small dent, possible paint damage. E3 — Significant dent. Requires bodywork and paint repair.

Paint repair history: U — Rust. The most serious paint-related mark. Surface rust is manageable; rust marked on structural panels or chassis requires careful evaluation. W — Wave or ripple in panel surface. Almost always indicates previous bodywork repair. P — Previously painted (repainted panel). The panel has been repainted at some point — may indicate previous accident repair.

Glass: G1 — Minor chip or crack in glass. C — Crack. May require glass replacement.

Major damage indicators: X — Needs replacement. The marked component is damaged beyond repair and requires replacement. XX — Multiple replacement needs in the same area.

Accident and restoration marks: RA — Restored after accident. The vehicle has been in an accident and repaired. This is not automatically disqualifying — the quality of the repair and the extent of damage matter more than the fact of the accident. However, an RA grade requires more careful inspection than a non-accident vehicle.

Reading the Diagram Systematically

When evaluating an auction sheet diagram, follow this systematic approach:

Count the marks first. Before reading any individual mark, count the total number of defect marks on the diagram. A Grade 4 vehicle might have five to eight minor marks — small surface scratches on edges and corners from normal parking. A Grade 3 vehicle will have more numerous or more significant marks. A high count of marks — particularly in concentrated areas — suggests either poor care or collision damage.

Look for concentration patterns. Marks concentrated on one corner or one panel — particularly the front or rear — suggest collision damage in that area. Scattered marks across all panels suggest general negligence rather than a specific incident.

Identify W marks specifically. A W mark — wave or ripple in a panel — is the most reliable indicator of previous bodywork repair. The wave is created by filler applied to smooth over a dent or creased panel. Any vehicle with W marks should have those specific panels inspected closely during your physical inspection — run your hand along the marked panel feeling for variations in surface texture.

Check for rust marks — U. Rust marks on any structural component — A-pillar, B-pillar, sill, chassis notation — warrant particular scrutiny during physical inspection. Rust that was superficial at auction time may have progressed by the time the vehicle reaches Kenya.

Cross-Referencing the Sheet With the Physical Vehicle

The auction sheet tells you the vehicle’s condition at the time of Japanese inspection — which may be six to twelve months before it reaches Kenya. Use the sheet as a starting point for your physical inspection:

Locate each marked defect on the physical vehicle and assess whether it matches the description. A mark described as A1 (light scratch) that presents as a deep gouge or a filled repair indicates either that the auction sheet was inaccurate or that the damage was modified between auction and export.

Note any defects on the physical vehicle that are not marked on the sheet — minor new damage from transport is possible and may be negotiable. Significant damage not on the sheet that appears older than transport timelines is a serious concern.

At Clyde Motors — Our Auction Sheet Policy

Every vehicle we import from Japan comes with its auction sheet documentation. We make this documentation available to buyers and their independent mechanics as a standard part of our transparency commitment. We welcome buyers who bring their own knowledge to the auction sheet evaluation — an informed buyer’s confidence in a vehicle’s documented history is the best foundation for a satisfying long-term relationship.

👉 Browse our documented, auction-sheet-verified stock at clydemotors.co.ke or WhatsApp us on 0740635621.