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Auction sheet symbols and damage map

Updated July 14, 2026 · 5 min read

The body diagram on an auction sheet is annotated with coded symbols marking every defect. Learn the code and you can picture the car's condition without ever seeing it.

How the code works

Each mark on the diagram combines a letter (the type of damage) with a number 1–4 (the severity, where 1 is minor and 4 is severe). So 'A1' is a small scratch and 'U3' is a large dent.

Full symbol reference

SymbolTypeNotes
A1 / A2 / A3ScratchSmall / medium / large
U1 / U2 / U3DentSmall / medium / large
E1 / E2 / E3DimplesFew / several / many (often hail)
W1 / W2 / W3Repair mark / waveHardly detectable → clearly visible
BDent with scratchCombined damage
SRustCheck severity number
CCorrosionMore serious than surface rust
PPaint mark / touch-upCosmetic
XReplacePanel needs replacing
XXReplacedPanel has already been replaced
GGlass crack / chipWindscreen etc.
The XX trap: XX on a door, fender or bumper is common and not alarming — those panels bolt on. Structural repair shows up as an R or RA grade, not as an XX.

Reading marks together

One A1 on a ten-year-old car is nothing. A cluster of W2/W3 repair-wave marks down one side, though, suggests panel work — cross-check it against the overall grade. Learn the whole sheet in our how-to-read guide.

See your car's real damage map

Get the original auction sheet, symbols and all, by chassis number.

Verify auction sheet

Frequently asked questions

What does XX mean on an auction sheet?
XX means the panel has already been replaced. On bolt-on panels (doors, bumpers, fenders) this is often routine and does not indicate structural accident repair.
What does W mean on an auction sheet?
W marks a repair mark or wave in the panel — evidence of previous bodywork. W1 is barely detectable; W3 is clearly visible.
What does the number after the letter mean?
It's the severity, from 1 (minor) to 4 (severe). For example A1 is a small scratch and A3 is a large one.

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