Grade inflation happens when dealers make a car’s condition appear better than its original auction grade. At Japanese auctions, professional inspectors assign honest grades (like 3.5 or R for repaired), but some dealers later ‘improve’ these ratings by cleaning superficial flaws while hiding deeper issues. They might buff out scratches to upgrade a 3.5 to 4.5, omit accident marks (R/RA grades), or use old photos that don’t show current damage. This tricks buyers into overpaying for cars that still have hidden problems. Always verify the original auction sheet through services like JP Sheets to see the true grade before purchasing.
Reveal how some dealers manipulate grades between auction and resale
When you look at Japanese car auctions, you’ll see every car gets a grade – like getting a report card in school. An “A” grade car is like a student who gets all A’s – very good condition. But some tricky dealers have found ways to change these grades to make cars seem better than they really are. This is called “grade inflation,” and today we’ll explain exactly how it works.
What Are Auction Grades Supposed to Mean?
First, let’s understand how grading normally works:
- S/6/5.5/5/4.5/4/3.5/3/2/1/0 – These numbers show the car’s overall condition (like test scores)
- A/B/C/D – Letters grade the interior (A=perfect, D=very bad)
- R/RA – Means the car was repaired after an accident
The auction house inspectors are strict teachers – they give honest grades after careful checking.
How Some Dealers Play the Grade Game
After a car leaves the auction, some dealers use clever tricks to make the grade seem higher:
Trick 1: The Clean-Up Magic
- At auction: Car gets “3.5” grade for having scratches
- Dealer buffs out scratches and now calls it “4.5” grade
- But hidden problems (like weak engine) stay the same
Trick 2: The Name Change
- Auction sheet says “RA” (repaired accident)
- Dealer advertises it as “Grade 4” without telling about repairs
Trick 3: The Photo Trick
- Uses old photos from before the accident
- Or takes pictures only from the good side
Trick 4: The Kilometer Mystery
- Car had 100,000 km at auction
- Dealer resets odometer to show 60,000 km
- Now calls it “low mileage grade 4”
Real Examples of Grade Inflation
- The Toyota That Wasn’t So Special
- Auction grade: 3 (average condition)
- Dealer grade: 4.5 (very good)
- Truth: Had transmission problems not mentioned
- The “Like New” Honda That Had Flood Damage
- Auction sheet: “W” (water damage)
- Dealer ad: “Grade 5 interior”
- Later: Electrical system kept failing
How to Protect Yourself
1. Always Demand the Original Auction Sheet
- Real grades don’t lie
- Look for inspector comments in Japanese
2. Check for Grade Change Warnings
- If auction grade ≠ dealer grade, ask why
- Big jumps (3 to 4.5) are suspicious
3. Compare Photos Carefully
- Match dealer photos to auction photos
- Different angles can hide damage
4. Use Verification Services
- Companies like JP Sheets can:
- Find the original auction report
- Translate all comments
- Show the true history
Why This Matters
Buying an inflated grade car means:
- Paying more money than the car is worth
- Getting surprises (repairs needed soon)
- Possible safety risks if accidents were hidden
The Smart Buyer’s Checklist
✅ Get the original auction sheet before buying
✅ Question any grade changes from auction to dealer
✅ Pay for professional verification if unsure
✅ Remember: If a deal seems too good, it probably is
Final Thought
Just like you wouldn’t trust a report card that changed from C to A overnight, don’t trust cars whose grades get suddenly better. Always check the original auction truth!
Want to car history on Japan auctions? Search “JP Sheets grade verification” to get the true story before buying.