Do you physically check the cars at Japanese used car auctions?

No, we do not personally inspect each car at auctions. Given the vast distances and number of auctions, it’s impossible to do so. Instead, we rely on detailed auction sheets, which provide comprehensive information on each vehicle.

How do you ensure the quality of cars if you don’t check them physically?

We carefully review auction sheets, consult Japanese colleagues for clarity, and request a “shitami” inspection for additional checks, such as rust or engine noise, when needed. This ensures transparency and accuracy for our clients.

Can I get a physical inspection of a car if I want one?

Yes, for an extra fee, third-party inspections are available at the auction site. This service provides additional assurance on a car's condition, though the auction sheet typically contains sufficient information for most buyers.

How do you handle country-specific requirements when bidding on cars?

We adapt to the specific requirements of each country by performing additional checks, like emissions code verifications and SEVs listings for Australia. This ensures compliance with import standards before bidding.

Why has the process shifted from physical checks to digital reliance?

With the digital age, specialized tasks like detailed vehicle inspections can be delegated to auction staff, freeing us to conduct additional digital checks. This approach enables accurate, efficient bidding without the need for physical travel.

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We do not check cars!

Jon French

Do you physically check the cars in the used car auctions?

Hey, we sell cars from the Japanese used car auctions and we nearly NEVER physically check them OURSELVES, and it WORKS!

If you think we drive each day to the auctions in Japan and check your cars for you, you’re wrong!
Are we concerned about the condition of the car you bid on before you bid? Yes, extremely concerned and cautious. It is of absolute importance to us that there are as few “unknowns” of a vehicle you bid on before purchase. So why don’t we physically check the cars ourselves.

Think of aviation. When planes were smaller and less frequent in number, the pilot used to do a walk-around the plane before boarding looking for any anomalies. As the planes have become bigger and more complicated the pilot has learnt to rely more on maintenance personnel and ground operations crew for the physical checks. The pilot's role has moved more into the cabin with computerized software system checks. As planes have become more complex the pilot's role has become more specialized.

The problem of distance

Back when we first started this company, we spent hours and hours each week driving to different auctions each day in the Kansai region. A traffic jam one week would mean getting up even EARLIER the following week, so as not to miss the first section. We would be armed with torches to check for rust underneath the vehicle. Not fun lying on the ground on a rainy day! But back then we didn’t have access to photos like this:

This is a condensed version of the original photo of a car we bought from the TAA.

When we realized that a large pool of choice for our customers was more important than just what was available in the Kansai region, the ability to continue physically checking cars ourselves quickly became impossible. For example, the day of the writing of this page is a Friday and here is the spread of SOME of the auctions available today in Japan:

The distance between the furthest auctions is 2000 kms. It is physically impossible for us to go out and check the cars in the auctions today.

Reliance on the auction sheet

As we moved from physically going to the auctions to remaining in the office, we came to rely more on the auction sheets. We began to spend more time on them. The foreign staff here are fluent in Japanese but if there was anything we didn’t understand on the auction sheet we would ask our Japanese colleagues. There would be misses though. Some issue with the car that was NOT mentioned on the auction sheet.

More information required

The next evolution for concerns of a car was requests from the auction for a “shitami” or inspection. This costs money, but nothing compared with the cost of physically traveling (train, plane, car) to the auction. The auction staff would check for rust, engine noises and other requests.

The Japanese Kanji for "shitami" or inspection.

The information age expanded

A picture is like a thousand words, so I don’t know how you would describe a video! How about 20 extra pictures, a video and engine checks as well as any other check you would like? Yes, a physical check on the car with photos and videos. Just as in the first illustration of a pilot, we have delegated out to 3rd parties physical checks on the cars. And it works! That leaves us with time to check for other information.

Online checks

Each country has its own specific requirements before bidding. For example, New Zealand customers need an emissions code check as well as confirmation that the vehicle has electronic side slip control. The first must be done from the auction sheet the second using the maker online manuals

This all takes time.
For example, for Australian customers to import a car it must be listed on their SEVs homepage.
These listings are based on year of manufacture, while Japanese vehicles are sold on the basis of first registration. The chassis number must be checked for the year of manufacture. It is not mentioned on Japanese vehicles.

Conclusion … Digital age of specialization and delegation

As mentioned above, the more we move into the digital age the more specialized tasks need to be delegated out to 3rd parties. This allows a more complete and accurate assessment of each area related to bidding on cars. Physically checking the cars is now possible, for a fee, while allowing us the time to do other checks on cars before bidding.

Q＆A

Do you physically check the cars at Japanese used car auctions?: No, we do not personally inspect each car at auctions. Given the vast distances and number of auctions, it’s impossible to do so. Instead, we rely on detailed auction sheets, which provide comprehensive information on each vehicle.

How do you ensure the quality of cars if you don’t check them physically?: We carefully review auction sheets, consult Japanese colleagues for clarity, and request a “shitami” inspection for additional checks, such as rust or engine noise, when needed. This ensures transparency and accuracy for our clients.

Can I get a physical inspection of a car if I want one?: Yes, for an extra fee, third-party inspections are available at the auction site. This service provides additional assurance on a car's condition, though the auction sheet typically contains sufficient information for most buyers.

How do you handle country-specific requirements when bidding on cars?: We adapt to the specific requirements of each country by performing additional checks, like emissions code verifications and SEVs listings for Australia. This ensures compliance with import standards before bidding.

Why has the process shifted from physical checks to digital reliance?: With the digital age, specialized tasks like detailed vehicle inspections can be delegated to auction staff, freeing us to conduct additional digital checks. This approach enables accurate, efficient bidding without the need for physical travel.

Beginner