Table of Contents
Hello, future car experts! Have you ever fallen off your bike and gotten a scraped knee? Maybe you had a small scratch or a bigger cut that needed a bandage. Cars can get hurt too, just like people! They get bumps and scrapes that we call dents and scratches.
In Japan, when car doctors (called inspectors) check cars for auctions, they use special codes to talk about these hurts. The B1 B2 B3 marks describe a car’s “owwies” – places where a dent and a scratch happen together. This article will teach you all about these codes in super simple words. Let’s learn how to be a car doctor together!
What Are Dents and Scratches?
A dent is like a bump or a dip on the car’s metal skin. It happens when something hits the car. Think about pressing your thumb into a soft clay ball – the mark you leave is like a dent.
A scratch is a line on the car’s paint. It is like when you take a sharp rock and draw on a piece of paper. The paint gets cut, and you can see the line.
Sometimes, a car gets hit and gets both a dent AND a scratch at the same time. That is what the B1 B2 B3 marks on Japanese auction sheet!
The B1 Mark: Small Dent with Scratch (Like a Tiny Cut!)
A B1 mark is the smallest and least serious type of damage. It is like when you fall and get a tiny cut on your knee.
What a B1 Mark Looks Like:
- Dent Size: A very small bump, like the size of a pea.
- Scratch Size: A thin line, like a pencil mark.
- Location: Often in a spot that is not easy to see.
What a B1 Mark Means:
- The car had a very small accident.
- The damage is mostly about looks and is not dangerous.
- It is the easiest and cheapest to fix .
What to Do if You See a B1 Mark:
- It can often be fixed at home with a special kit .
- A car doctor might use a magic trick called Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) to make the dent disappear without new paint .
- It should not stop you from buying the car, but you should know it is there.
The B2 Mark: Dent with a Scratch (Like a Bigger Cut!)
A B2 mark is more serious. It is like a bigger cut on your knee that needs a bandage and some cleaning.
What a B2 Mark Looks Like:
- Dent Size: A clearer bump, like the size of a grape.
- Scratch Size: A scratch you can see easily; it might have gone through the paint.
- Location: Could be in a place you notice.
What a B2 Mark Means:
- The car had a stronger bump.
- Because the paint is scratched, the metal underneath could start to get sick with rust if not fixed .
- Fixing it costs more money and time than a B1 mark.
What to Do if You See a B2 Mark:
- It needs a professional car doctor to fix it well.
- The repair might need a special paste called “body filler” for the dent and new paint for the scratch .
- You should think about the repair cost before buying the car.
The B3 Mark: Big Dent with Scratch (Like a Big Boo-Boo!)
A B3 mark is the most serious type of this damage. It is like a big, deep cut that needs a doctor’s help.
What a B3 Mark Looks Like:
- Dent Size: A large, deep dent, like the size of an apple. The metal might be bent in a sharp fold.
- Scratch Size: A long, deep scratch that has definitely broken the paint.
- Location: Often in a very visible spot and might be in the driver’s view.
What a B3 Mark Means:
- The car was in a bigger accident or had a big hit.
- This damage can be dangerous because it can weaken the car’s body .
- Fixing it is expensive and needs a lot of work from a professional auto body shop .
What to Do if You See a B3 Mark:
- This is a big red flag! You must be very careful.
- The car will need to go to a special repair shop. The cost can be very high, sometimes over $1,000 .
- It is often a good idea to avoid buying a car with a B3 mark unless you are an expert and know the full story.
B4/B Mark: Very Severe Scratch with Dent (Like a Major Injury!)
A B4/B mark is the most serious type of combined damage on a car’s body. Think of it as a major injury that needs immediate doctor’s attention!
What a B4/B Mark Looks Like:
- Dent Size: Very large and deep, like a big bowl pressed into the metal
- Scratch Size: Long, deep scratches that have cut through all the paint layers
- Location: Usually covers a large area and often affects important parts of the car
What a B4/B Mark Means:
- The car had a very serious accident or impact
- The metal structure underneath might be bent or damaged
- This is the most expensive and difficult type of damage to repair
- The car might not be safe to drive until properly fixed
What to Do if You See a B4/B Mark:
- This is a big warning sign – be very careful!
- The repair will need special equipment and skilled technicians
- Cost can be very high, sometimes thousands of dollars
- It’s usually best to avoid buying cars with B4/B marks unless you’re prepared for major repairs
Important Note: B4/B damage can sometimes mean the car’s frame (its skeleton) is damaged, which makes it very dangerous to drive.
Why Should You Care About B1, B2, and B3 Marks?
Knowing about B1 B2 B3 marks helps you make smart choices. It is like knowing if a toy is a little broken or a lot broken before you buy it.
- Safety: Big dents can mean the car’s strong body is weaker. In a crash, it might not protect people inside as well .
- Money: Fixing these problems costs money. A B1 fix might cost $50, but a B3 fix can cost $1,000 or more! .
- Rust Prevention: A scratch is a hole in the car’s paint coat. If you don’t fix it, rain and air can make the metal rust, like a cavity in a tooth .
How Are B Marks Fixed? A Quick Look
Let’s Be Car Doctors! How to Check for B Marks
You can look for these marks yourself! Here is how:
- Look in the Sunlight: Stand near the car and look at its side. The sun helps you see dents and scratches.
- Run Your Eyes Along the Car: Look for spots that are not smooth. Look for shiny lines that are scratches.
- Feel the Surface (Ask first!): If you can gently touch the car, feel for bumps and dips.
Remember, always ask for permission before you touch someone else’s car!
Guide With Story: The Three Cars
Car A (B1 Mark): A little toy car bumped into this car in a parking lot. It got a tiny dent and a small scratch. The owner fixed it in one afternoon and it looked perfect!
Car B (B2 Mark): This car was hit by a shopping cart. The dent was bigger and the scratch was deep. The owner took it to a mechanic, paid some money, and after a few days, it was all better.
Car C (B3 Mark): This car bumped into a tree branch. The dent was big and ugly, and the scratch was long. Fixing it cost as much as buying 100 ice cream cones! The owner learned to be more careful next time.
Let’s Review What We Learned
- B1 Mark: A small dent with a scratch. It is like a tiny cut. Easy to fix.
- B2 Mark: A clearer dent with a scratch. It is like a bigger cut. Needs a pro to fix.
- B3 Mark: A big, bad dent with a scratch. It is like a serious injury. Very hard and expensive to fix.
Now you are an expert on B1 B2 B3 marks! You can look at a car and be a detective. You can understand its story just by looking at its auction sheet.
If you are buying a car, always check for these codes. If you need help understanding the auction sheet, services like JP Sheets can explain everything in simple words for you!
Happy car learning! 🚗💨 Always verify auction sheet by chassis number to check these marks.