What Grade 5 Means

The Grading Scale

Japanese auctions grade every vehicle. Grade 5 is the top.

5

Grade 5

Near-new condition. Minimal wear. No significant repairs. The best of what Japan produces. This is what we sell.
Grade 4.5

Very good condition. Minor wear consistent with low mileage. Small imperfections possible.
Grade 4

Good condition. Normal wear for age and mileage. May have minor scratches or interior wear.
Grade 3.5

Average condition. Noticeable wear. May need cosmetic work. Common in mid-range exports.
Grade 3

Below average. Significant wear, possible repairs needed. Typical for budget exports.
Grade 2

Poor condition. Major repairs likely. Flood, accident, or heavy wear. We do not sell these.

Why Only Grade 5

Other exporters sell all grades. We don't. Here's why.

Quality means fewer problems at destination. A Grade 5 car arrives ready to sell. No surprises, no repair costs, no disappointed customers.
Your reputation depends on the car you receive. If you're a dealer, every car you sell carries your name. Grade 5 protects that name.
Grade 5 holds resale value better. Near-new condition commands premium prices in every market. Your margin is higher.
Our 40-year reputation depends on every car we ship. We've been doing this since 1986. We don't ship anything we wouldn't put our name on.

Grade 5 vs. Lower Grades

Concrete differences that affect your bottom line.

Exterior

Grade 5: No significant scratches, dents, or paint damage.

Grade 3-4 vehicles commonly have door dings, bumper scratches, and faded paint from sun exposure. These require $300-800 in bodywork before resale. Grade 5 goes straight to your lot.

Interior

Grade 5: Seats, dash, and trim in near-new condition.

Lower grades show wear on driver's seat bolster, steering wheel leather, and armrests. Stained seats or cigarette burns appear at Grade 3.5 and below. Interior reconditioning costs $200-600. Grade 5 interiors need nothing.

Mechanical

Grade 5: All systems operating as designed.

Lower grade vehicles may have AC issues, power window faults, or engine warning lights. Grade 5 verification means the auction inspector confirmed all mechanical systems are functioning. No surprises at destination.

Resale Impact

Grade 5 commands 10-20% higher resale.

In destination markets, near-new condition vehicles sell faster and at higher margins. A Grade 3.5 Toyota may sit on your lot for weeks. A Grade 5 of the same model sells in days. Your capital turns over faster, your reputation stays high.

Double Inspection

Auction grade is assigned by the auction house. We add our own layer.

Inspection 1

Auction House

Professional inspectors at the auction house grade every vehicle. They check exterior, interior, engine, undercarriage. The grade is documented on the auction sheet, which you receive.

Inspection 2

Our Verification

Before any car ships, our team conducts a second inspection. We verify the auction grade matches reality. Two layers of verification. No car ships until both pass.

A Note on Chinese EVs

Chinese electric vehicles are growing in many of our destination markets. They compete on price. Grade 5 Japanese vehicles compete on proven reliability, established parts networks, and known resale value.

Different product. Different customer. We serve the customer who values quality above all.