Vehicle Grading Systems

Auctions, car yards, private sellers and Japanese vehicle exporters can all use different grading systems for their vehicles. This can cause confusion if an inexperienced buyer is evaluating a vehicle and doesn't know who has graded it.

The Imports101 grading system has been implemented to provide a uniform and easy to understand scale of grading. All of our cars have had their condition grading converted to the 101 grading system for convenience and security.

This system has been adopted for two main reasons:

1. So that our customers receive a consistent system to gauge the quality of a vehicle.
2. Provide Imports101 with reliable method of explaining vehicle condition so we can confidently offer our Money Back Guarantee.

The 101 Grading System

Exterior Grading:

• Showroom: This level is reserved for those very special vehicles that don't have any scratches or dents.
• Excellent: The equivalent of an auction grade 4.5 vehicle. Possibly a few very small pin dents, but no major scratches that go right through paint (unless stated)
• Very Good: Only pin dents or very small scratches but nothing that requires repair for the vehicle to present very well. May have slight scuffs on the bottom of the bumpers from regular use but generally very good for its age.
• Good: This grading is the most commonly used. It applies to most vehicles that are in average condition for their age and kilometers. They may require some small paint repair or very minor panel repair to present very well, but are still in acceptable condition as they are. The maximum costs expected to bring a vehicle of this grading up to excellent condition for its age is $800.
• Average: This vehicle has a few more panels that might require repair. A typical vehicle of this grade would require a maximum of half the panels repainted to bring the vehicle up to excellent condition for its age and kilometers. To repaint half the averaged sized vehicle should cost approximately $1400
• Poor: A vehicle with this grading needs extensive repairs but can still be resurrected to present very well. You should consider the repair costs of this grading on a car by car basis.
• Damaged: This is an accident damaged car that can be repaired. Each vehicle graded "Damaged" needs to be evaluated individually to decide its true value.
• Wreck: This grading is allocated to vehicles that should only be dismantled for parts or cut up for front/rear cuts