When importing a vehicle from Japan, the auction sheet is the single most important document you will review. It is an unbiased, standardized inspection report generated by a certified auction house inspector before the vehicle is put up for bidding. Unlike a seller's description, the auction sheet is a factual record of the vehicle's exact condition, flaws, and specifications.
1. The Overall Grade System
The most prominent feature of the auction sheet is the overall grade, usually located in the top right corner. This grade dictates the baseline quality of the vehicle:
- Grade 6 or S: Brand new or virtually new. Less than 12 months old or under 10,000 km.
- Grade 4.5: Excellent condition. Minor scratches or dents that are barely noticeable. Very low mileage.
- Grade 4: Good condition. May have minor scratches, small dents, or slightly higher mileage. The interior is clean.
- Grade 3.5: Average condition. Noticeable scratches, dents, or higher mileage. May require minor cosmetic work.
- Grade 3: Below average. Significant wear and tear, high mileage, or requires mechanical/cosmetic repairs.
- Grade R or RA: The vehicle has been in an accident and repaired. The extent of the damage varies wildly, from minor bumper replacements to major structural work.
- Grade 0 or ***: The vehicle has been modified (e.g., lifted suspension, aftermarket body kits, engine swaps).
2. The Interior Grade
Located next to the overall grade, the interior grade is graded alphabetically:
- A: Excellent. No rips, stains, or significant wear.
- B: Good. Minor wear, small stains, or slight fading on the steering wheel/seats.
- C: Fair. Noticeable rips, heavy stains, or smoke damage.
3. The Vehicle Diagram
The center of the auction sheet features a top-down and side-view diagram of the car. This map pinpoints the exact location and severity of exterior flaws using specific codes:
- U1, U2, U3: Scratches. U1 is a minor scratch, U2 is a moderate scratch, and U3 is a deep scratch requiring repainting.
- W1, W2, W3: Dents or waves. W1 is a minor dent, W2 is a moderate dent, and W3 is a large dent.
- A1, A2, A3: Patches of repaired paint (body filler).
- XX: A panel that has been completely replaced.
- Cracks: Represented by a jagged line symbol, usually on bumpers or windshields.
4. The Remarks Section
The remarks section contains abbreviations detailing the vehicle's equipment and specific mechanical notes. Common codes include:
- AC: Air Conditioning (Cold).
- AW: Alloy Wheels.
- PS: Power Steering.
- PW: Power Windows.
- SR: Sunroof.
- NAV: Navigation System (Note: Japanese navigation is often in Japanese and useless in Zimbabwe).
- FM: FM Radio.
- AB: Airbags.
- ABS: Anti-lock Braking System.
The Larheim Advantage: We do not just read the auction sheet; we interpret it. A Grade 4 car with a few U2 scratches is often a better buy than a Grade 4.5 car with an "R" grade hidden in the remarks. Our team filters out the bad stock and only presents vehicles with clean, verifiable auction sheets.
Why the Auction Sheet Matters for ZIMRA
Beyond assessing condition, the auction sheet provides the exact manufacturing month and year, the exact engine displacement in cc, and the chassis number. These three data points are legally required by ZIMRA to calculate your Customs Duty, Surtax, and to verify that the vehicle is under the 10-year import limit. Never purchase a vehicle without receiving and verifying the auction sheet first.