Japanese Auction Inspections

You've likely come across the Japanese Auto Auctions as you're looking to import a vehicle from Japan. One of the biggest unknown and worrying aspects of importing a vehicle (especially an older vehicle) is the condition of the vehicle and its depiction with limited photos in the Japanese Auctions. In this article, we explain how ZervTek tackles this problem by dissecting an example of a car that we bought for a previous customer through the USS Tokyo auction. 

The first important thing we do is translate the auction sheets as much as possible. This is typically enough for newer vehicles as they tend to be in good condition, the auction sheets are accurate enough, and with the sheer number of vehicles passing through we can easily weed out anything that isn't deemed good enough and still not run out of options. The large quantity also means we cannot possibly inspect them all. 

For vehicles that are older, or repaired, or you just want to be extra careful, we conduct comprehensive inspections on the vehicle(s) to provide our customers with a clear picture of the car's condition before the auction takes place. Auctions typically only last between 1-3 minutes so we try to get the inspection a few hours ahead of time to ensure that you have enough time to go through the photos and videos before you place a bid.

We aim to bring a level of transparency and trust to the table where inspections are conducted with honesty and integrity ensuring that customers have all the information they need to make informed decisions. We see to it that that all our customers get a straightforward and reliable service that customers can count on.

Dissection of a previous inspection.

This is a vehicle we inspected from the USS Tokyo auctions on the 22nd of February for a customer. Below is the translation that we provided that served as the basis for inspection. The customer did not ask for any specific photos or videos, therefore all of the photos and videos attached here are of a typical inspection. 

We outsource inspections to different companies to get inspections for several auctions across Japan. This, however, means that there will be differences between inspections but we do our best to keep it as consistent as possible. The auctions we cover are listed at the end of the article. 

Areas We Cover

We cover several areas for the inspection process to make sure our customers receive accurate and comprehensive photos and videos of each car. Below we delve into the specific areas covered during the inspections, to show the transparency we ensure to show the quality and the reliability of every vehicle.

Exterior Inspection

The exterior inspection is very critical in assessing the overall condition and integrity of the vehicle before purchase. We start by getting photos of the entire exterior of the car before proceeding to focus on the smaller issues of the exterior. Below is a list of the major issues we look for at the auctions:

• Check for any signs of paint fading, paint peeling, paint unevenness, touch paint, or mismatched paint.
• Check for dents, scratches, or other damage on all panels.
• Take photos of exterior modifications.
• Windshields and windows are inspected for cracks, chips, or scratches.
• Look for signs of chips, rust, or corrosion on the alloy wheels.
• Attention to repaired areas including panel distortions and bends, panel replacements, and chassis bends

Interior Inspection

The interior inspection of a vehicle is not just to ensure a comfortable driving experience, but to make sure that the customer is satisfied with the interior and is aware of any possible changes or repairs he might have to do ahead of time. From the dashboard to the seats, every aspect of the interior is carefully examined to identify any signs of wear and tear, cigarette burn marks, damage, or defects. Here is an extended list of things we focus on while taking photos:

• Check for any signs of cracks, wear, bubbles, or other damage to the dashboard surface.
• Inspect the condition of each seat, including any cuts or tears, stains, cigarette burn marks and/or holes, thread wear, and general use wear. 
• Examine the center console for any damage or malfunctioning components.
• Test all the interior controls, including the stereo, air conditioning, and power windows to ensure they are functioning properly.
• Inspect the upholstery for any signs of damage, such as tears, stains, burn marks, and/or holes or fading.
• Evaluating the overall cleanliness of the interior, including the surfaces and upholstery to ensure a well-maintained and comfortable environment for the driver and passengers.

Undercarriage and Engine Bay

Even though the inspectors can't lift the vehicles to check the undercarriage, they will capture clear photos of the undercarriage focusing on areas susceptible to rust and corrosion and giving a detailed insight into the vehicle's structural integrity and mechanical components of the vehicle. 

Undercarriage

• Rust, corrosion, and corrosion holes
• If the undercarriage is painted black, see if it’s to hide rust and corrosion.
• Oil stains and oil leaks
• Noticeable dents and bends on any panels from underneath

Trunk area

• Check if there’s rust or corrosion in the spare tire house
• Check if there are any repairs that are noticeable from the inside of the trunk

Engine and Transmission

• Under special request: check the oil and transmission oil levels and color
• Check for warning lights
• The smoothness of the gear changes with MT vehicles
• The engine idle and rev conditions/states

Videos 

Auction Sites We Inspect

Since each auction site opens on a certain day, we can only inspect vehicles on the day of the auction. Below is a list of auction houses we can perform inspections;

Contact Us

We prioritize customer satisfaction and transparency throughout the inspection process. Inspections may slightly vary depending on the location and the company conducting them but we ensure consistency through the instructions provided to the inspectors. We commit to this quality to make sure the customer can make a decision based on an accurate assessment of the vehicle. 

If you require assistance or have any inquiries, feel free to reach out to our dedicated customer support team. We're here to help!

You can find all the necessary links below.

• sales@zervtek.com
• WhatsApp
• Auction site

Thank you for choosing ZervTek Co., Ltd. We appreciate your trust in our services and look forward to serving you with excellence and integrity.