Sheet

Shaken (車検) on a Japanese auction sheet

Updated August 23, 2026 · 6 min read

Shaken (車検) on a Japanese auction sheet is the expiry of Japan’s roadworthiness inspection, stamped as an era date. Remaining shaken is not a condition grade and is not a substitute for inspections in the country you import to.

Definition: Shaken (車検) is Japan’s compulsory vehicle inspection. On an auction sheet the shaken field is usually an expiry date such as R8/2 (Reiwa 8, February → February 2026). Convert stamps with the Japanese date converter. SheetJP does not treat remaining shaken as a quality score.

Where shaken appears on the sheet

Look for 車検 near 初度 (first registration). Both use Japanese eras — Reiwa (R / 令和), Heisei (H / 平成), older cars sometimes Showa (S / 昭和). A lone “S” in the grade box is an overall condition grade, not a Showa shaken date. Context: what is a Japanese auction sheet.

What remaining shaken does not mean

  • Not an auction condition grade (4, 4.5, R…).
  • Not proof the car will pass a warrant of fitness, IVA, JEVIC/JAAI, or entry certification abroad.
  • Not a SheetJP statement that the car is legal to import or register.
  • Not a reason to skip the damage map, letters, or mileage line.

Export cars often leave Japan before shaken is used up. Buyers still read the date so they understand the Japan-side paperwork. Destination rules change — confirm the authority that applies to your country.

How to convert the stamp

Reiwa year N is 2018 + N (R5 = 2023). Heisei year N is 1988 + N (H30 = 2018). Paste R8/2 or 令和8年2月 into the date converter. That output is a calendar month only.

Read shaken with the rest of the sheet: how to read a sheet, then verify the original. Import-risk context (not legal advice): risks of importing.

See the shaken date on the original sheet

Retrieve the unaltered auction record by chassis number.

Verify auction sheet

Frequently asked questions

What is shaken on a Japanese auction sheet?
Shaken (車検) is Japan’s roadworthiness-inspection expiry, usually written as an era date such as R8/2. It is not the auction condition grade.
Does remaining shaken mean the car is in good condition?
No. Shaken is an inspection-expiry stamp. Condition is recorded in the grade, letters, mileage, comments and damage map.
Does shaken replace a WoF, IVA or JEVIC inspection?
No. Those are destination or pre-export processes. They answer different questions from a Japanese auction sheet.
How do I see shaken on the original record?
Enter the vehicle's full chassis number on the SheetJP homepage.

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