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Buying from Japan

How to buy a Kei car from Japan

There are a few ways to buy cars from Japan for USA import, car aggregators, and direct auctions. Before naming all the available options, there are some key points to cover

Choosing a Kei car

Auction grade

When buying a Kei car, you will typically see the auction sheet with the auction grade. The grades are listed below:

  • S or 6 – Brand New
  • 5 - As new but used
  • 4.5 - As above, with the most minor of blemishes
  • 4 – Excellent Condition
  • 3.5 – Minor Marks and Blemishes
  • 3 – Noticeable/Heavy marks and Blemishes
  • 2 – Poor condition
  • 1/0/-1 – Very Poor condition OR modified (and quite possibly in excellent condition)
  • R/RA – Accident Damaged/Repaired Vehicle

Most people advise purchasing Grade 3.5 or above vehicles, but grades do not hold as much weight as they seem. Some bidders have seen grade 4s with a heavy amount of rust, a bad smell, or other degraded features. Just like in this example.

R grade

The R grade is also misleading because it may seem like R is the lowest grade when, in reality, some good cars will have an R grade if they received some form of repair. R grades can become good deals, but it's recommended to have someone in person check the car.

The advice is to stick to grades 3 and above but to still thoroughly inspect any car you purchase.

Auction sheets

See Japan Car Direct's How To Read Auction Sheets on how to read an auction sheet.

Example auction sheet

Auction sheet.png

Interior grade

Similar to the auction grade is the interior grade; cars will receive an interior grade depending on the condition. The grade will take into consideration the age of the car.

  • A: New
  • B: Clean and in good condition
  • C: Typical for its age
  • D: Damaged interior and signs of wear and tear
  • E: Terrible
Kilometers
Car features

Kei cars have a wide range of features that can affect the pricing. The more features present in the car, the more expensive it will be. Typically, cars with 4WD and A/C will go for a higher price.

  • 4WD vs 2WD
  • Manual vs automatic
  • A/C vs no A/C

Signs of a lower trim model:

  • No keyhole in rear passenger door
  • Bench seats
  • No A/C
  • No 4WD

Engine placement is a factor when choosing a car. Some cars will have the engine under the seat, which can produce heat and noise, or in the back of the car.

See Picking a Kei car for more information on car features and how to pick a car.

Where to buy for import

Below are the common ways people in the USA buy Kei cars for import.

For importing a Kei car, I would recommend a direct auction importer for most people's first Kei car. There are many aspects of kei cars that someone in the USA might not know that they are more familiar with. They can help answer questions, find any issues, and help you learn information.

Car aggregator

Car aggregators list various cars on their websites for customers to choose from and order. It's similar to buying a car from CarMax or Carvana. Be extra cautious and thorough with these cars since the aggregators may not send any extra information beyond the photos of the car. Be sure to negotiate for a lower price; most of these websites will bid down the car price. 

Direct auction

For a direct auction, you will work with a person in Japan who goes to the car auctions. This can be a great option since they are able to see the cars in person, take videos/photos, address any concerns you have, and ensure that the car you get is in great shape. The cost might be slightly higher than a car aggregator since it's more personal work, but you can ensure the car you get is in good shape and the one you want.

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