Japanese Auto Auctions

The best way to buy used cars in Japan is directly from Authorized Auto Auctions, in the same way Japanese used car dealers do. More than 90% of trading in the Japanese used car market is through these Authorized Auto Auctions.

There are currently 150 Authorized Auction houses in Japan with approximately 6 million cars on sale annually. The Auto Auctions in Japan act as mediators for used car dealers. They are very reliable and are guided by the Automobile Fair Trade Council run by the Japanese government. Participation at the Auto Auctions is only for members who have authorized Japanese used car dealer licenses and is strictly judged by Auctioneers.

The Auctions have their own assessors and strictly inspect each exhibited car. The assessors allocate a quality grade to the car and make a detailed report on the condition of the car available to member bidders. The assessor's reports are very detailed and include even the slightest scratch that is hard to find.

Japanese Authorized Auto Auctions

USS Auto Auctions

USS ( Used car System Solutions ) is the largest Authorized Auto Auction group in Japan and has 12 Auction houses all over Japan. All auction houses are connected via internet for Network bidding and more than 25% of trading used cars in Japan are through the USS Auto Auction.

USS Nagoya is the head office and 2nd largest Auto Auction house in Japan.

Imported cars, Trucks, Buses, and Damaged cars are also available.

TAA ( Toyota Auto Auctions )

TAA, the first Authorized Auto Auction in Japan, opened in 1967. The Toyota head office and factories are located in the Nagoya (Tokai) area, and there are many quality and reasonable Toyota traded-in cars from reliable Toyota dealers.

Auctions held by other automobile manufacturers ensures other makes of car are also available.

Bid Club ( Nissan Auto Auction )

The Bid Club, stocks cheap used cars for export or for spare parts. But there is no online access, no released car data and no indication of car condition grade. This Auction is a good place to bid on and purchase good profit cars. The bidding and purchasing at the Bid Club are only for bulk order customers.

Other Authorized Auto Auctions

We cover most of the major authorized auctions in Japan for our bulk order customers, such as JU, CAA, HAA, Bay-Auc, AAAI, RAA, KCAA, and etc., and more than 70,000 cars are exhibited every week.

Used Car`s Condition - Quality grades or points

Each auto auction prices its cars according to the Automobile Fair Trade Council standards. The following are the trading standards used to rate the condition of a car:

S or 6 Grade

A car that is like new; its interior and exterior is immaculate.

Some cars in this grade have never been driven.

Our suggestions

You will be able to sell a car at this grade as a new car. You do not even need to inspect the condition of the car if it is exhibited at authorized auctions as you can completely trust the quality of this grade.

5 Grade

A car which has the functionality of a new car and it can be put on display as it is. It can be sold as a grade 6 car with minute repairs. The engine, chassis, interior and exterior are in excellent condition.

Our suggestions

This grade is almost same as grade 6 except for very small scratch or dimple. The prices are high because of the grade. This grade is mostly cars up to 3 years old. You can completely trust cars of this grade.

4.5 Grade

A car with no interior or exterior part replacements requirements. After a few minute repairs the car will be as new. Interior and exterior are both in good condition with a few inconspicuous marks. It can be sold as a grade 5 car with small repairs.

Our suggestions

This grade is also close to grade 5, and is usually the highest grade for the cars more than 3 years old. It is sometimes hard to find any scratch, dimple, or wear on cars in this grade.

4 Grade

A car with small scratches and dimples, but overall in a good condition.

A car with no requirements for expensive interior or exterior parts to be replaced. Small repairs must be completed carefully. It can be sold as a grade 5 car with small repairs.

Our suggestions

You do not need to inspect cars in this grade and you can trust this grade if it is exhibited at authorized auctions that have strict assessments. If you are looking for cars of very good quality then this grade is suitable, but the price of this grade will be a little higher.

3.5 Grade

A car with conspicuous marks on the interior and exterior, but the car must have good running conditions. The exterior sometimes has small areas of color mismatch due to a poor repair job. It can be sold as a grade 4 car after some repairs. It can be put on display with several repaired small parts.

Our suggestions

This is the most popular grade for exporting. Most people usually request this grade, no big repairs are needed and the prices of this grade are at average. The car will usually be in good condition but the inspection sheet should be examined to ensure it is suitable.

3 Grade

A car which needs repairs on the interior or exterior before putting on display. The car is in proper running state. Some parts have been repaired but some are not completed. It can also be sold as it is with the marks.

Our suggestions

This grade is almost as good as 3.5 grade. It may need to be sold after being repaired but there are many cars for which the problems can be repaired only by replacing the bonnet, fender and so on. The fact that some parts require replacement usually takes the grade down from 4 to 3, and they are indicated on the inspection sheet. This grade needs to be carefully inspected in order to determine car condition.

Grade 2 or 1

A cheap car whose exterior requires extensive repairs and the interior is in poor condition. Various parts need to be replaced, but the car will run.

This grade also includes makeover cars, flooded cars, raced cars and badly driven cars.

Our suggestions

We suggest you do not purchase cars of this grade except if looking for makeover cars or raced cars.

Grade R or 0

A car which has had big repairs from accidents or otherwise. Since the car has been totally repaired it is popular and bid at high prices, even though it is graded 0 or R.

Our suggestions

The most people think the cars of this grade are damaged by accidents but not all of them are damaged as a result of big accidents. Many cars of this grade suffered important repairs or small accidents so the cars are still in good condition like at grade 3 or 4. They are also completely repaired. Some cars are sometimes in the same condition as grade 4