Damage code decoder
Paste marks from the body diagram (A1, W2, XX…) and get plain-English meanings. Then verify the original sheet — don’t trust a seller’s cropped PDF.
Full symbol reference
| Code | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A + 1–4 | Scratch | Surface scratch. Number 1–4 sets size (1 small → 4 severe). |
| U + 1–4 | Dent | Panel dent without necessarily breaking paint. Severity 1–4. |
| B | Dent with scratch | Combined impact mark — dent plus scratch. |
| E + 1–4 | Dimples / hail | Multiple small dents (often hail). Count/severity via number. |
| W + 1–4 | Repair wave / mark | Evidence of previous bodywork. W1 barely visible; W3 clearly visible. |
| S + 1–4 | Rust | Surface rust. Check location (arches, sills, underbody). |
| C + 1–4 | Corrosion | More serious than light rust — dig deeper on trucks/SUVs. |
| P | Paint / touch-up | Paint mark or touch-up. Common on older cars. |
| X | Needs replace | Panel should be replaced (not yet done at inspection). |
| XX | Already replaced | Panel already replaced. Routine on bolt-ons; dig in if clustered with W/R. |
| G | Glass | Chip or crack in glass (windscreen, lights, etc.). |
| Y | Crack | Crack — often plastic/bumper related. |
How damage codes work on Japanese auction sheets
Inspectors mark panels on a top-down body diagram. A letter (like A for scratch or W for repair) plus a severity number tells you what they saw — not a full repair invoice. Pair this decoder with the auction grade explainer: a clean-looking Grade 4 can still hide serious marks on the map.
Also confirm which auction house inspected the car (USS, TAA, JU, HAA…) and that the lot/date match the seller’s story. Equipment marks are a different line — use the equipment decoder. Full guide: auction sheet symbols explained.
Buying checklist
- Decode every mark on the diagram — don’t stop at the headline grade.
- Cross-check mileage with the mileage sanity check.
- Verify the original sheet so you aren’t reading a cropped PDF.
Frequently asked questions
What do auction sheet damage codes mean?
Is A1 worse than W2?
Can a seller’s PDF hide damage codes?
Next: verify the original auction sheet
Tools identify models and risks. The paid check pulls Japan’s real grade, mileage and damage map.
Verify auction sheet