How does the Japanese car auction grade system work?

Japanese auto auction grades run from S (showroom perfect) and 6 (excellent) down to 1 (rough), with RA indicating "reconditioned accident" and R or A indicating accident history. Interior grades are rated A (excellent) to D (poor). Grade 4 to 4.5 represents a clean car with minor cosmetic flaws and is the most common target range for imports. Always pair the grade with the actual auction sheet fault diagram to understand specific issues.