Ultimate Customer Guide
Buy a Car from Japanese Auctions —
Yourself, with Our Support
Direct access to Japanese auctions. You choose the car and set your budget. We provide the tools, knowledge, and expert guidance at every step.
Already know which car you want? Just 3 steps
If you've already decided on the model, the process is fast and fully transparent.
01
Check the Price
Find out the average auction price and the full cost of delivery to your port. Ask your manager or use the Statistics page and C&F Calculator.
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02
Pay the Deposit
The deposit unlocks full access to Japanese auction bidding — high-res photos, 360° views, and personal manager support. Your money is held securely in Japan and is fully refundable if you decide not to proceed.
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03
Get Your Car
You tell us which car you want — we purchase it at auction and deliver it to your door. Export, documentation, and freight are fully handled by us.
LHD & RHD Filter Left & right-hand drive — find exactly what your market needs
→ Instant AI Translation Japanese auction sheets translated to English in seconds
→ C&F Calculator Full cost to your port — calculated before you bid
→ Step-by-Step Guide to the Purchase Process
Contents — click to jump
00
What are Japanese Auctions & CarVector's Role
Introduction ▾ Japanese auctions are highly competitive professional marketplaces where dealers bid every day. Cars sell at fair market prices — realistic savings vs your local market are 10–20%, not 50%. The value is quality and selection, not rock-bottom prices.
Each vehicle has a market price and a minimum reserve set by the seller. The true advantage of Japanese auctions is a massive selection of quality vehicles with verified mileage, documented condition, and transparent data.
What Carvector Does — and Doesn't Do
✓ Carvector provides
- Direct access to 100+ Japanese auction houses
- AI translation of auction sheets
- C&F cost calculator
- Bidding on your behalf
- Shipping & export documentation
- Manager support 8 hours/day, Monday–Friday
✗ Carvector does not
- Select a car for you
- Make the decision on which car you need — that's yours to make
- Take responsibility for your choice
How Japanese Auctions Work
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Control
You choose the car, set your max bid, and approve every step
Transparency
Real auction data, original photos, AI-translated sheets
Quality focus
We help you avoid bad lots — not find the cheapest one
01
Finding the Car's Average Selling Price
Research ▾ Throughout this guide we use a Mazda CX-5 (2021) with delivery to Cyprus as a worked example.
Before bidding, you need to understand what similar cars actually sell for at auction.
a) Check Sales Statistics on Our Website
Open the Statistics section and select your target model. You'll see recently sold cars with their final auction prices.
Screenshot: Sales Statistics page
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Example: Auction Lot Results
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Note: USS auctions don't publish final prices. Statistics shown are from other auctions. If data for your model is limited, request the average price from your manager.
b) Request Data from Our Managers
- Car model (e.g. Mazda CX-5)
- Year range (e.g. 2021–2023)
- Maximum mileage (e.g. 40,000 km)
- Your budget (e.g. 12,000–14,000 euros)
Once you know the average auction price — the next step is calculating the total C&F cost to your port.
02
What is C&F and How to Calculate It
Costs ▾ C&F (Cost & Freight) is the total price: vehicle auction price + freight to your destination port + Japanese local expenses + our commission.
What's Included
- Auction price — the car's purchase price at auction
- Commission — from 2%, min ¥95,000 (individual rate depends on volume and account type)
- Japan domestic expenses — ¥90,000
- Freight — per m³, depends on destination and body style
Example — Mazda CX-5 to Cyprus, Auction Price ¥1,700,000
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Auction price | ¥1,700,000 |
| Commission (4.8%, min ¥95,000) | ¥95,000 |
| Japan domestic expenses | ¥90,000 |
| Freight | ¥450,000 |
| Total C&F | ¥2,335,000 ≈ €13,000 |
C&F covers delivery to your port only. Local customs and import taxes are paid separately upon arrival.
If C&F fits your budget — the next step is placing a Deposit to unlock full access and start bidding.
Screenshot: C&F Calculator
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03
Pay the Deposit
Action Required ▾ To participate in auctions, you need to pay a deposit. This confirms your intent to buy and unlocks full access — high-res photos, 360° views, and personal manager support. The deposit is your money, held securely in Japan — it is not a fee. If you decide not to proceed, it is refunded in full.
Before the deposit, auction photos are blurred. Full access opens after the deposit via your personal account.
Deposit Amount
Car up to €10,000→€2,000
€10,000 – €20,000→€3,500
Over €20,000→30% of car price
Payment Options
1
Invoice Payment
Via your bank. Takes about 3 business days.
2
Wise Transfer
Arrives almost instantly — fastest option.
- Deposit is deducted from your final invoice after winning a lot.
- Refund available after 3 months. Bank fees during refund covered by buyer.
Sending money abroad feels uncertain — let our clients speak for us. 4.3 stars on Trustpilot, praised for professionalism and reliability.
Happy clients photo
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Review / testimonial photo
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04
Vehicle Selection and Evaluation
Your Choice ▾ This step is your decision. Carvector provides the tools and data — you evaluate the car and decide whether to bid.
How to Read an Auction Sheet
Auction Sheet Example
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1
Open the Auction Sheet to review the damage diagram before bidding.
2
Click "Translate AI" — instant English translation: options, condition, damage notes.
3
Check the "Start Price" — may be zero, does not reflect final price.
Auction Grades
6
Nearly New — virtually flawless
5 / 4.5
Excellent — no repairs needed, low mileage
4 / 3.5
Good — minor or no repairs needed
3
Average — higher mileage or repairs required
2
Poor condition
T / R / RA
T — flood/modified | R — accident repaired | RA — quality repair
Common Damage Codes
A
Scratch
U
Dent
W
Wave / distortion
X
Replacement needed
XX
Already replaced
C
Crack / chip
B
Burn mark
R
Rust
+
Extra — 360° Views & Undercarriage Photos
Bonus ▾ USS auctions offer 360° interior views and undercarriage photos. Send your manager a car link or lot number to request them.
360° Interior View
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Undercarriage Photo
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You've learned how to evaluate a car. Now — the most exciting part: placing your bids!
05
Placing Bids
Bidding ▾ Each lot's auction lasts 15–30 seconds. You set your maximum bid in advance — we bid on your behalf. If the car sells for less, you pay the final price, not your maximum.
Live Auction Video
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Bid Interface Screenshot
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My Auction Bids — Results Page
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Two Types of Bids
Auction Price Bid
You set the car-only amount. Shipping, Japan costs, and commission are added after.
RECOMMENDED
C&F Price Bid
You set a total budget to your port. We calculate the car-only bid. You know your full spend upfront.
After the Auction
- Go to "My Auction Bids" → "WON" tab to see your result and final price.
- If unsuccessful — check "Failed" tab and target the next lot.
- Your manager sends a WhatsApp confirmation shortly after.
06
Final Payment
Payment ▾ Final Invoice Example
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- CarVector uses its own funds to secure your vehicle — late payment may result in penalties.
- Vehicle held securely in Japan until payment confirmed.
- Once paid — we begin export procedures and shipping.
After payment, the car is yours. We handle all export paperwork and shipping from Japan.
07
Shipping & Vehicle Delivery
Delivery ▾ After payment, your car goes through all export and customs procedures in Japan, then moves to the departure port — typically waiting 2–4 weeks for the next vessel.
Car Carrier Ship
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Car Arrival at Port
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Export Documents Set
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Estimated Delivery Times
🇪🇺
Europe (DE, BE, NL)
≈ 2 months
🇨🇾
Cyprus
≈ 2 months
🇮🇪
Ireland
≈ 3 months
- Upon arrival — pay local import duties and taxes.
- We provide all export documents: Export Certificate, Bill of Lading, Invoice, Packing List.
- Tracking updates sent throughout the voyage.
Ready to Get Started?
Register free and access 50,000+ vehicles at Japanese auctions. Your manager is available Monday–Friday during business hours.
