Grade 4 vs Grade 3.5 — which should you buy?
Grade 4 is the popular baseline, but Grade 3.5 cars are cheaper and often fine. Here's how to choose.
The short version
Grade 4 is a good used car with minor cosmetic flaws — the safe, resale-friendly choice. Grade 3.5 is a step down: more visible wear and possibly small repairs, at a lower price. If you plan to keep the car and don't mind a few marks, 3.5 can be great value; if you want easy resale or minimal work, pay for Grade 4.
| Grade 4 | Grade 3.5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Condition | Minor flaws only | Noticeable wear, small repairs |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
| Best for | Resale, low hassle | Budget buyers, keepers |
| Watch for | Interior letter grade | Damage map clusters |
Whichever you consider, read the damage map — the grade is a summary, the map is the detail. Full scale in auction grades explained.
Frequently asked questions
Is Grade 3.5 bad?
Related reading
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