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Every code on the car map

Japanese Auction Sheet Damage Codes Explained

A1, U2, W1, XX — what every letter and number on the car map means, and which marks to worry about.

A · B · U · E W · P · H X · XX S · C · Y G glass

The letter tells you what the inspector found. The number tells you how big it is. 1 is small, 2 is medium, 3 is large (a few auction houses go up to 4). So A1 is a small scratch, U2 is a medium dent, and XX means the panel was already replaced.

The basics

How do you read a damage code?

The car map is a top-down drawing of the car. The inspector writes a code on each panel where he finds something. Read it in three parts:

  • Where — the panel the code sits on (bonnet, door, bumper, roof).
  • What — the letter: scratch, dent, rust, repair, replaced.
  • How big — the number: 1 small, 2 medium, 3 large.

One panel can carry more than one code, like A1 U1 (a small scratch and a small dent). The same words often appear in the inspector’s notes in Japanese, so check both.

▲ FRONT REAR ▼ A1 G U2 W1 XX S1 B1 A scratch U dent W repair XX replaced S rust G glass chip
Example map: small scratch on the front bumper, medium dent on the left door, light repair on the bonnet, right front wing replaced.
The full list

What does each damage code mean?

A
Scratch · キズ
A1 small · A2 medium · A3 large. A1–A2 on bumpers and door edges is normal wear.
U
Dent · 凹み
A dent with the paint unbroken. U1 small · U2 medium · U3 large.
B / AU
Dent + scratch · キズを伴う凹み
The metal is pushed in and the paint is marked. B1–B3. Some houses write AU instead of B.
E
Dimples · エクボ
Small dents in a group, often from hail. E1 a few · E2 several · E3 many. Not an engine fault.
W
Repair trace / wave · 補修跡
Bodywork was done on this panel. W1 hard to see · W2 visible · W3 obvious.
P
Paint issue · 要塗装
Uneven, mismatched or faded paint. The panel needs refinishing, not replacing.
H
Faded paint · 色あせ
Paint has faded or worn thin. Used by some houses. Cosmetic.
S
Rust · サビ
S1 light · S2 more · S3 heavy. Rust underneath matters more than on a panel.
C
Corrosion · 腐食
Rust that has eaten into the metal (C1 · C2). Worse than surface rust.
Y
Crack or hole · 穴・割れ
Y1 small · Y2 medium · Y3 large. Most often on plastic bumpers.
X
Needs replacing · 要交換
Too damaged to repair — the part must be replaced. A cost you take on.
XX
Replaced · 交換済
Already replaced before the auction. The work is done — ask why, and how well.
G
Glass chip · 飛び石
A stone chip in the glass. A crack is written ワレ (割れ) and means a new screen.
💡
Formats differ a little. Some sheets size their codes — ORIX sheets, for example, write A1 for a scratch up to 10 cm and A2 for longer. On some formats G means the glass needs replacing. Always read the legend printed on the sheet itself.
Replaced panels and R / RA

Does XX mean the car was in an accident?

Not always. XX on a bonnet, door, front wing or boot lid does not make a car R or RA on its own — those parts bolt on and off. The car gets an R or RA grade when the structure was repaired: chassis rails, pillars, floor or inner panels.

R and RA mean the same thing — a repaired accident. Some auction houses write R, others write RA.

⚠️
Still check it. Several XX or W marks down one side usually mean one past impact, even with a normal grade. Ask for paint-depth readings and compare the panel gaps left to right.
What to worry about

Which damage codes matter most?

  • XX or W on several panels on one side — one impact, since repaired.
  • Any mark on a pillar, floor or inner panel — structural; expect an R or RA grade.
  • S2, S3 or C underneath — rust that costs money. Get photos of the underside.
  • X marks — parts you will pay to replace.
  • W and P on the same panel — the repair paint does not match.
✅
Normal wear: a few A1, A2 or U1 marks spread around the car. Every used car has them.
Worked example

Example: reading a real-style car map

The map above shows A1 on the front bumper, U2 on the left front door, W1 on the bonnet, XX on the right front wing, S1 on the right rear and B1 on the rear bumper.

  • A1, B1, S1 — light wear. Fine.
  • U2 on the door — a medium dent, a small bodyshop job.
  • W1 bonnet + XX right wing — the front right corner was hit and repaired. Check the gaps and paint there.
Questions buyers ask

Frequently asked questions

What does W2 mean on an auction sheet?
W2 means visible repair work on that panel — the bodywork can be seen. W1 is hard to see, W3 is obvious.
What does A1 mean?
A1 is a small scratch. It is normal wear, especially on bumpers and door edges.
What is the difference between X and XX?
X means the part needs replacing — a cost still to come. XX means it was already replaced before the auction.
Is XX bad?
One XX on a bolt-on panel is common. Several XX marks on one side, or XX near a pillar, point to a bigger past impact — check repair quality before you buy.
What does E mean on an auction sheet?
On the car map, E means small dents or dimples, often from hail — E1 a few, E2 several, E3 many. It is not an engine fault: mechanical problems are written in the inspector notes. An E as the interior or exterior grade is different — it means very poor condition.
Do all auction houses use the same codes?
Mostly yes. Small differences exist — some write AU instead of B, and some size their codes in centimetres. Read the legend on the sheet.

Want the full sheet explained — grades, mileage, inspector notes? Read How to Read a Japanese Auction Sheet.

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