Auction sheet damage codes, decoded
The grade tells you what the inspector concluded. The damage map tells you why. Every scratch, dent, repair and rust spot on the car is written on that little diagram in code — and it's the part sellers hope you can't read. Here's every symbol, and what it means for the price.
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Every damage code, letter by letter
The number after each letter grades severity: 1 minor, 2 moderate, 3 serious. Exact letters vary slightly between auction houses — when in doubt, check the legend printed on the sheet, or just send it to us.
Scratch
Normal wearSurface scratch. A1 is barely visible, A2 clearly visible, A3 large or deep. A few A1/A2 marks are normal on any used car.
Dent
Normal wearDent without a scratch. U1 small (thumb-size), U2 medium, U3 large. Door dings are usually U1.
Dent with scratch
Look closerA dent and scratch together — a real knock rather than a parking ding. B2/B3 deserve a price conversation.
Wave / repair
WarningThe panel has been repaired or repainted. W1 is a clean repair, W3 clearly visible. Several W marks together often outline an accident.
Rust
Look closerSurface rust. S1 minor, S2 significant. Check whether it sits on a visible panel or the underbody.
Corrosion
WarningRust that has eaten into the metal. C2 on structural areas is a serious durability warning for Pakistani summers and monsoons.
Paint flaw
Normal wearFaded, mismatched or marked paint. Cheap to fix cosmetically, but P next to W can confirm a repaint.
Paint deterioration
Look closerClear-coat peeling or heavy fade — common on cars that lived outdoors.
Dimples / pitting
Look closerMultiple small dents in one area — classically hail damage. Often spread across the bonnet and roof.
Crack / hole
WarningCracked or holed panel, bumper or lamp. Y3 means broken through — the part needs replacement.
Needs replacement
Accident markerThe inspector judged this panel beyond repair — it must be replaced. On structural panels this is an accident marker.
Already replaced
Accident markerThe panel has already been swapped. XX on a pillar, apron or core support means the car took a structural hit.
Glass chip
Normal wearStone chip or crack in glass. G on the windscreen matters for import compliance and replacement cost.
Small glass crack
Look closerSome houses mark windscreen cracks as X1 — check the legend on the sheet.
Want the whole system on one page? Keep the Auction Sheet Decoder handy — grades and damage codes together, at a glance.
Location matters more than the letter
A W3 on a door is a story about a careless owner. A W1 on a pillar is a story about an accident. Read every code together with where it sits on the diagram.
Bonnet · roof · boot lid
Cosmetic panels. Even X/XX here is repairable — negotiate, don’t necessarily walk away.
Doors and wings
Common ding territory. Multiple W marks on one side suggest a side impact rather than wear.
Pillars · apron · core support
Structural. W, X or XX here is accident evidence — this is where "clean grade" frauds hide.
Underbody notes
Rust (S/C) written near the underbody box matters more in Pakistan than any door ding.
Single marks are wear. Patterns are accidents.
Auction inspectors record honestly, so honest wear looks scattered: an A1 here, a U1 there. Accidents leave connected evidence — W on the wing, XX on the apron behind it, P on the adjoining door. When neighbouring panels tell one story, the car took one hit.
That pattern-reading is exactly what we do when you send us a sheet to verify — and if the codes contradict the printed grade, that's a red flag for a doctored sheet.
Pattern example · left-front impact
Four "minor" codes, one conclusion: this car's left front corner was hit and rebuilt. Its price should reflect that.
The diagram shows Japan. We check Pakistan.
Every code was recorded before the car was shipped, stored and reconditioned. A CarOK 70+ point inspection confirms what those repairs look like today — panel gaps, paint depth, structural integrity — at your doorstep. Understand the difference in auction sheet vs physical inspection.
Damage codes — your questions
Related reading: auction grades explained · the full Japanese sheet guide.
What do the codes on an auction sheet diagram mean?
The body diagram marks every recorded flaw with a letter and severity number: A scratch, U dent, B dent-with-scratch, W repair/wave, S rust, C corrosion, P paint flaw, E dimples/hail, Y crack or hole, X panel needs replacement, XX panel already replaced, and G glass chip. The number after the letter (1–3) grades severity — A1 is a faint scratch, A3 a deep one.
What does W mean on an auction sheet?
W means "wave" — the panel has been repaired or repainted, and the inspector could see or feel the rework. W1 is a clean, professional repair; W3 is obvious. One W on a door is common; several W marks clustered on connected panels usually outline a repaired accident.
What is the difference between X and XX?
X means the panel is damaged beyond repair and needs replacing. XX means it has already been replaced. Either on a bolt-on panel (bonnet, door) is manageable; on welded structural panels (pillars, aprons) it is accident evidence and should be priced — and inspected — accordingly.
Are a few damage codes normal on a good car?
Yes. A used grade-4 car typically shows a handful of A1/U1 marks — that is honest wear, and their presence is actually a sign the sheet is genuine. A used car whose diagram is completely empty deserves suspicion, not celebration.
Which damage codes should make me walk away?
Treat with caution: X or XX on structural panels (pillars, apron, core support), C2 corrosion anywhere structural, Y3 holes, and clusters of W repairs across connected panels. Combined with an R grade, these describe a significantly accident-damaged car — acceptable only at a deep discount and after a physical inspection.
The seller’s translation doesn’t mention any damage — is that possible?
Translations routinely "lose" the damage map. The diagram lives on the original Japanese sheet; if you are only shown an English summary, assume information is missing. Send CarOK the original sheet or the chassis number and we will decode every mark, free.