Buying a used car from Japan sounds scary, right? You are sitting on the other side of the world, sending money for a car you have never seen.
But here is the good news: Japan has one of the strictest car inspection systems on the planet. At Nexuss Cars, we believe you should never have to guess what you are buying. So, let us break down those official Japanese inspection papers in the simplest way possible. No fancy words. Just straight talk.
🚐 What Is This Paper You Get?
Every certified used car in Japan goes through a tough check-up by trained experts. Groups like the Japan Automobile Appraisal Association (JAAA) make sure everything is fair and honest.
At the end of this process, you get a Vehicle Inspection Certificate. Think of it like a report card for the car. It uses numbers, letters, and even drawings to tell you exactly what shape the car is in.
1. The Big Number: The Overall Score
The most important thing on the paper is the Overall Rating Score. It uses a scale from S (the best) down to R (the worst).
Here is what those numbers actually mean in plain English:
| Grade | What It Really Means |
|---|---|
| Grade S | Almost new. Less than a year old and under 10,000 km. |
| Grade 6 | Super clean for a used car. Under 3 years old and under 30,000 km. |
| Grade 5 | Excellent. Very tidy with under 50,000 km. |
| Grade 4.5 | The sweet spot. Very reliable and under 100,000 km. Best value. |
| Grade 4 | Good. A few tiny scratches, but nothing serious. |
| Grade 3.5 | Normal used car. Has some small scratches and dents you would expect. |
| Grade 3 / 2 / 1 | More noticeable flaws. Still runs fine, but looks rough. |
| Grade R / RA | Had frame or structural repairs. Usually fixed properly. |
2. The Letters: Inside and Outside
Besides the big number, inspectors give separate letter grades for the outside (exterior) and the inside (interior). These go from A (perfect) to E (rough).
For the Outside (Paint and Body):
- A: Spotless. Almost no scratches.
- B: A few light scratches, but normal for the age.
- C: Average. Has some small dents you can see.
- D or E: Lots of scratches and dents all over.
For the Inside (Seats and Cabin):
A: Showroom clean. No stains or tears.
B: Very clean with tiny signs of use.
C: Normal used car. Has visible wear, but nothing crazy.
D or E: Dirty, torn, or damaged. Needs some fixing.
🚚 3. The Big Question: Has It Been in an Accident?
This confuses a lot of people.
In Japan, a car only gets a “Repair History” stamp if the main body frame (the skeleton of the car) was fixed.
If the car just had a door replaced or a fender repainted? That does NOT count as a repair history. That is just cosmetic stuff. This rule helps you tell the difference between a fender-bender and a major crash.
📦 4. The Drawing: The Map of Scratches
Every certificate has a little drawing of the car. It looks like a map with letters and numbers pointing to different spots.
- Letters = The Type of Flaw:
- A = Scratch
- U = Dent
- B = Scratch + Dent together
- S = Rust
- Numbers = The Size:
- 1 = Tiny (about 10cm, like a hairline scratch)
- 3 = Big (about 40cm, a large scratch)
So, if you see “A2” on the front bumper, it means a medium-sized scratch on the front bumper. Easy, right?
How Nexuss Cars Helps You
We know these sheets can look like a foreign language. That is why we do not just hand you the paper and say “good luck.”
At Nexuss Cars, we:
- Give you the raw, unedited inspection sheets (no funny business).
- Have our own team physically inspect the car to make sure the paper matches reality.
No tricks. No hidden problems. Just honest cars.
Ready to Find Your Car?
Tell us what you are looking for, and we will do the hard work for you:
What brand or body style are you dreaming of?
What grade do you want? (Grade 4 or higher is our usual recommendation)
How many kilometers are you okay with?
📩 Email us: info@nexusscars.com
🌐 Visit: NEXUSSCARS.COM – tell us your specs, and we’ll find, inspect, and ship your ideal units.
