An auction sheet is a Japanese vehicle inspection report issued by auction houses like USS, TAA, JAA, and CAA. When buying a Japanese imported car in Pakistan, the auction sheet is your most important document — it tells you the car's real condition before purchase. Here's how to read one like a professional.

What Is an Auction Sheet?

Every car sold at a Japanese auto auction is inspected by a certified inspector and assigned grades for exterior condition, interior condition, mechanical condition, and overall grade. The sheet uses a standardized grading system understood by dealers worldwide. Pakistan imports nearly 90% of used cars from Japan, making auction sheet verification essential.

Auction Sheet Grading System Explained

Overall Grade | Meaning | What to Expect

  • Grade 6 / S | Brand New / Showroom | Virtually unused, under 1,000 km
  • Grade 5 | Excellent | Nearly perfect, minimal wear, no repairs
  • Grade 4.5 | Very Good | Minor wear, no accident history, light marks
  • Grade 4 | Good | Small scratches, no dents, clean interior
  • Grade 3.5 | Above Average | Minor repairs done, some wear visible
  • Grade 3 | Average | Noticeable wear, may have repaired dents
  • Grade 2 | Below Average | Significant damage or major repairs required
  • Grade 1 | Poor | Major accident damage, frame damage possible
  • Grade R / RA | Repaired Accident | Has been in accident — repaired but marked
  • Grade A | Modified / Non-Standard | Modified car, may not be original spec

📌 Rule of Thumb: Only buy Grade 4 or above for daily use. Grade 3.5 is acceptable if price is right and the specific damage is cosmetic. Never buy Grade R unless you fully understand what was repaired.

How to Read the Damage Symbols

The auction sheet has a car diagram with marks showing exactly where damage exists. Each mark uses a symbol code:

Symbol | Meaning | Severity

  • A | Scratch (kizu) | Minor — surface only
  • U | Dent without scratch (hekomi) | Moderate
  • W | Wave / Ripple in panel | Moderate — possibly repaired
  • C | Cracked (wareta/kaketa) | Significant
  • X | Needs replacement (koukan) | Major — panel needs replacing
  • XX | Already replaced (koukan-zumi) | Major — repaired but noted
  • S | Rust (sabi) | Serious — check for flood or age
  • P | Paint blemish (haku) | Minor
  • E | Dent + Scratch combo | Moderate to significant
  • B | Burn mark | Significant

Grade Numbers on the Diagram

Numbers 1–3 are written next to damage symbols to indicate size: 1 = small (coin-sized), 2 = medium (palm-sized), 3 = large (larger than palm). So "U2" means a medium-sized dent without a scratch. "X3" means a large panel needing replacement. "A1" means a small scratch — very common and typically nothing to worry about.

Interior Grading

Interior Grade | Condition

  • A | Excellent — like new
  • B | Good — minor wear
  • C | Average — visible wear
  • D | Poor — stains, tears, or heavy wear

How to Verify an Auction Sheet in Pakistan

Auction sheets can be forged. Here's how to verify authenticity:

  1. Ask for the original sheet with the auction house's official stamp and watermark
  2. Cross-check the chassis number on the sheet with the car's actual chassis number plate
  3. Verify online: USS sheets can be verified at uss-auction.co.jp, TAA at taa.co.jp
  4. Check the auction date — compare to the import date to ensure authenticity
  5. Use a third-party verification service (several available in Lahore/Karachi for Rs. 2,000–5,000)

What the Sheet Doesn't Tell You

  • Mechanical problems not visible during inspection (failing sensors, worn bearings)
  • Flood damage in some cases (water can dry without visible rust on auction day)
  • Odometer tampering (less common in Japan but still happens)
  • How the car was used before the auction (taxi, rental, private)
  • Pakistan-specific issues: what happens to the car during shipping and during months it sits at port

Red Flags to Watch in Pakistan's Used Car Market

  • Dealer refuses to show auction sheet — walk away immediately
  • Sheet shows Grade R or 2 but dealer claims "fully restored" — price should reflect this
  • Chassis number on sheet doesn't match car's chassis — possible document swap (serious crime)
  • Very low mileage on a Grade 3 car — mileage likely tampered
  • Auction date is missing or illegible — possibly a copy of a copy

📌 Verify Before You Buy: Always verify the auction sheet BEFORE paying any advance. A legitimate dealer will happily share it. Spend Rs. 3,000–5,000 on a professional verification — it can save you from a Rs. 5–15 lakh mistake.

Best Grade Recommendations by Car Type

Use Case | Recommended Grade | Acceptable Minimum

  • Daily city driver | Grade 4.5 or 5 | Grade 4
  • Family SUV / MPV | Grade 4.5 | Grade 4 with clean interior
  • Budget buy | Grade 4 | Grade 3.5 (cosmetic issues only)
  • Long-distance driving | Grade 5 | Grade 4.5
  • Resale-focused buyer | Grade 5 or above | Grade 4.5