7 best japanese car auction sites you must know in 2023

Buying a JDM Car listed as “In Transit”

Buying a vehicle listed in the dealer’s transit section means that you are going to purchase a vehicle which is still in transit (i.e. on its way to Canada or the USA in our case). To simplify it further, an ‘In Transit’ vehicle is the one which is due at a dealership but has not yet arrived. The dealer may have ordered the vehicle from the factory or an exporter, and it’s still on its way to Canadian / American ports. Buying an ‘In-transit’ vehicle is more or less the same as buying a Japanese car listed in the dealer’s local JDM stock. The procedure for buying these vehicles is simple and smooth when you take care of all the necessary things such as buying steps, requirements, inspections, and documentation. The complete procedure for buying ‘In-transit’ vehicles is explained below:

• You notify the dealer about the vehicle you would like to buy through an email or call and tell them its stock ID or reference number.
• The dealer provides you with more information in the form of stock photos, and inspection reports, and answers the questions about other specifications of the car.
• You make the decision whether or not to buy this vehicle after having the specifications.
• If you like the vehicle and have made the decision to buy it, the dealer will ask you for all the information and issue a bill of sale to you.
• After being issued a bill of sale, you have to make the payment in approximately 10 days.
• The dealer will notify you once the car arrives. You can now pick up the car directly from the port or pay extra cost for further shipment to your desired location in the USA / Canada. 

This is the complete process for buying an ‘In-transit’ vehicle which is on its way to the US / Canada and is listed on a local dealer’s ‘In-transit’ stock portion. If you follow all the steps carefully, then buying a car from the dealer’s transit section should be an easy and smooth process.

How to Buy Car from Auction Without Dealer License

In the section, I disclose how a public buyer can attend dealer only auctions, bid indirectly, and buy a car without a dealer’s license.

Meanwhile, I have written an article on how you can buy a car from a police impound (you do not require a dealer’s license to participate in police auctions unless specified).

Below are the ways to buy car from auction without dealer license:

Dealer only auctions do not allow public buyers but it is not a taboo to go to the auction without a dealer’s license.

Some licensed dealers can admit you in the auction to buy a used car but at a cost of about $250 to $1,000.

Of course, it costs the dealer up to $1,000 or more to run the business (insurance, license renewal, vehicle checks/maintenance, etc.), so, do not expect the dealer to get you access to the dealer-only auctions for free.

It is okay for the dealer to charge a fee, they have to cover their overhead. When you get into the lot, you can check the vehicle you want, however, you cannot bid, the dealer does the bidding on your behalf because you have no license.

Yes, you can join dealer-only auctions without a dealer license by signing up for auctions with packages that allow public bidders or buyers (non-licensed).

However, the number and type of vehicles you can bid on may be limited, depending on the auctions.

On a platform like Copart, you do not need business licenses to bid on vehicles tagged ‘No License Required’.

Moreover, a public buyer on Copart can bid on vehicles in the No License Required Vehicle inventory with no restriction.

Depending on your state, however, you may need a business license to buy vehicles in private auctions depending on the type of title.

An auto broker is an expert that represents you; he picks and bids on an excellent vehicle on your behalf.

The first step you want to take is to get a list of brokers, visit their websites, compare their terms, understand their method of payment, and pick the most suitable to represent you.

Note that the auto broker you select must be eligible to bid in your state.

After registering with an auto broker, you will be given a unique member number to bid for a car in dealer only auctions in the name of the broker.

Some auto brokers affiliate with companies like Copart, so, you can check for member auto brokers on Copart, Register with them, and sign in to Copart with the issued ID and bid like a licensed dealer.

To buy a car from the auction without a dealer’s license, you should sign up for online auctions on sites such as the following:

• Copart
• AutoAuctionMall
• CapitalAutoAuction
• IAAI

Before you sign up, I have written about how you can win an auto auction online.

Of course, your bidding competitors would be experienced licensed dealers and public buyers that signed up for the auctions. On some sites, you may have to sign up for premium membership to access private auctions online.

If you know someone privileged to get to the auctions under the name of a licensed dealer, you may negotiate with them to get you a car.

However, you would not be there to inspect the vehicles physically. So, you have to describe the kind of vehicle you prefer in detail and then the person would send you images/videos of the vehicle. A licensed dealer may not be willing to go with persons without a dealer’s license to the auctions.

Buying from a JDM Exporter’s “Japan Stock”

Many JDM importers and exporters hold their own “Japan Stock” which you can purchase from. Additionally, there are used car dealers in Japan much the same as they exist in the USA / Canada. These Japan-based dealers purchase vehicles privately and from Japanese auction houses for their own inventory/dealer stock. Japan-based car dealerships are unlikely to communicate in English. As such, you may need to work with an importer or exporter who can facilitate the purchase.

JDM importers, exporters and dealers are well versed in finding diamonds within the rough and, because they are buying the vehicle for their own stock, are incentivized to avoid “problem” cars that could have fraudulent auction ratings, odometer fraud or extensive repair histories. Because there is no limited timeline as found with Japanese auction house cars, you’ll have a lot more time to get into the details of the vehicle’s condition. Dozens of high-quality images and past auction history are to be expected. Independent mechanical testing may even be possible. As such, buying from Japanese stock is generally less risky than directly from the auction. Here’s what the process looks like:

• You go to the car dealer’s website and select your car from a wide range of stock listed over there and note down its reference number or id.
• Request additional images (and video) from the Dealer to further validate its condition
• Request its auction history and the last grading report if available.
• If you decide to buy the car, you would be required to deposit a non-refundable amount of approximately $900 and fill out the details of your purchase in the stock agreement form.
• The dealer then sends you a copy of the wire transfer documents and you pay the remaining amount in the mutually agreed time period or at specified milestones.  
• Once the car arrives in North America, the dealer will notify you and you will now have two options: either to pick it up directly from the port or ask the dealer to ship the car to your desired destination in US / Canada for which you will have to bear the further shipping cost.
• The last step in this process is to take your vehicle for safety tests, compliance and registration.

Overview

Japan is the largest used car market where every year thousands of vehicles sold through auction houses. Auction houses are working as a used car dealer in Japan but the system of used car selling in Japan is advance and reliable. Auction houses offer reliable dealing in which they provide used car inspection reports with every single vehicle. For the years Japan has been a leader in the automobile. Japan auction houses offer cars at very cheap prices and the quality of Japanese vehicles is not doubtful because the world’s largest auto manufacturers like Toyota, Honda, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, and many more are manufacture vehicles in Japan. Japan is a popular used cars exporter country where vehicles are available at very cheap prices with its usage history of Japan.

Conclusion:

Japanese Auto Auctions for used cars are the most popular and effective model for purchasing your favorite car at a reasonable price range. It is a reliable method involving registered auction houses for bidding purposes. You can get   FREE Access . Customers will get the true picture of the automobile because an independent party handles inspection. With the progression of technology, the Japanese used cars export market has grown tremendously. As the medium of Japan auto auction is changed to online; it provides endless choices, quality vehicles, reasonable prices in a hassle-free manner. You may also find detailed participation procedure on the following link   >>> “How to buy” .

ASNET: (AUTOSERVER NET)

ASNET is an another Auction Data Gathering Website. This company is not an auction itself, but rather collects the data of the auctions going on in Japan and displays them within it’s website. In this sense it is convenient to users that wish to check multiple auctions at the same time. However, to purchase through ASNET will have increased fees compared to being a direct auction member and purchasing directly from the auction itself.

ASNET does list vehicles for AUCNET, and posts that online for auction on Mondays. However, AUCNET vehicles are cars located at the yards of AUCNET members. There is not a centralized auction house like the standard auctions in Japan.

ASNET also lists “One Price” and similar after auction vehicle sales. See below “One Price” section for details.

7. Kyushu Chuo Auto Auction House

Kyushu Chuo AAH Logo

Kyushu Chuo Auction House was established in 1989. The brand provides standard cars to Japanese dealers and many other countries worldwide. Its efficient and user-friendly way of letting customers buy their desired vehicles through the online auction makes it popular among the masses.

Customers get to buy the vehicle without any complications and with good rates. All the necessary information is provided by the team at the time of the auction. South Kyushu, Fukuoka, and Yamaguchi are the three auction sites of KCAA where all the top-grade cars from popular brands like Honda, Suzuki, Nissan, Toyota, Hyundai, etc. are revealed.

All the vehicles up for auction happen to be in sync with the latest trends and technologies with no hidden policy or price. So, you can participate in the auction without being worried about any kind of fraud.

Japanese Auto Auctions for Used Cars

Japanese auto auctions offer used cars in reasonable price and excellent quality. Here is the step wise buying guide to help you through the process:

Select The Auctioneer:

There are many auction houses and trusted auction agents registered in Japan. They will do the bidding part on your behalf. You modestly hope that no one bids higher than your bid. Auction houses help you purchase the car and make the process less complicated. Japan auto auctions have a rational and credible system for customers. The inspection report of the car is prepared by an independent party, reflecting the true state of the car. This inspection report helps the buyer in making the right decision.

Select The Vehicle:

It is the most time-consuming step. Look for your dream car keeping in mind some important factors like your budget, required features, and maintenance cost. There are tons of substitutes to pick from the Japanese used cars export market. Make your decision after weighing all pros and cons. You can check its images and details. The auction agent can tell you the total cost of export.

Security Deposit:

After selecting the car, you have to deposit a security amount proportional to the bidding amount.  The auction house can’t start the bidding process without the security deposit. It is the seal of the deal. The security deposit validates your intention. After receiving the amount, the auction agent will participate in the Japanese auto auction for used cars. The security amount is absolutely refundable if bidding isn’t successful. In case the bidding is successful, this amount will be adjusted to the total price of the purchased car.

Bidding Price:

Determining the bidding price is a crucial step. Be very careful while determining the bidding value. Take the help from your agent; they can guide you in a better way because of their vast experience. Once the bidding value for the selected car is decided, the auction house will bid according to your goal price. There are chances that someone bids higher than your bidding amount resulting in a lost bid.

Auction Result:

The next step highly depends on the auction result. If you win the bid, the payment process will proceed and if not, the security amount will be subject to refund or would be utilized for a different automobile.

Payment:

After winning the bid in the Japanese auto auction for used cars, you have to clear the remaining payment. Transfer the remaining amount to the auction house, and they will generate your purchase invoice. Upon receiving the proof of purchase, you can ship your automobile to its destination place.

Vehicle Shipment:

Japanese used cars export includes freight charges, consumption tax, FOB charges, marine insurance, and agent fee. You need to clear the bill for vehicle shipment via ocean. The auction house is capable of performing the pre-shipment inspection. Make repairs or maintenance in Japan if needed. The agent will ship your vehicle to the destination port accompanied by all necessary documentation.

Custom Clearance:

Clearing customs is the ultimate step of this process. Every country has its own custom clearance requirements. Clear the customs and take your car home. Enjoy the ride!

Pros of Buying a Car from an Auction

A car auction is counted as one of the oldest and preferred methods of selling a large number of cars within a limited time. Dubai car auctions and other Emirates is a common phenomenon and a majority of people purchase vehicles from these auctions. Listed below are some benefits that people avail when purchasing a car from an auto auction. 

Financial Value

The core benefit of purchasing a car from an auction is its price. You may find your dream vehicle at an auction by paying a fraction of the money. However, the final price of the vehicle depends upon the bidding, and the vehicle is only sold to the highest bidder. Due to bidding, some of the most expensive classic cars are sold at an auction.

Cars at auction are often sold at lower than the market value of that vehicle

Classic Cars

If you are a car collector, then an auto auction is the best place for you to buy a car. A number of auto auctions sell classic and rarest cars in the world that are difficult to find somewhere else. You can read the vintage cars available for sale and their description on the seller’s website prior to attending the auction. 

Wide Variety

A myriad of cars is available at the auto auction for sales, such as sedans, SUVs, minitrucks and others. This enables buyers to hand-pick their preferred vehicle within their budget. However, the buyer may have to compromise on the colour, condition and year of release, as limited models are available for sale. 

Step 1 – Do Your Homework

Decide on the make of vehicle you’re interested in, and check the car press for a guide to prices from dealers and private sellers. Then take a look at the sold and listed cars of the week at the auction of your choice and realise the difference! Don’t be overly disappointed if the exact car you want is not listed – new cars are listed all day, every day.

Have your finances organised prior to inspections, this way you know exactly what your bidding capacity is.

Remember to bring a photo ID (drivers licence or passport) and a form of payment (cash, bank cheque or similar) to cover your deposit. A deposit can be as high as 10% of the purchase price, or a minimum of $500. Usually, you are required to settle the balance within 24-48 hours by bank cheque, money order, cash or proof of wire transfer. Importantly, the vhicle must be paid for in full before you are allowed to take possession of it.

Famous Car Auctions and Internet Car Auction Sites

Whether you choose to hang out at one of the more famous car auctions in the USA or go the online auto auction route, you’ve got plenty of car-buying options. Over the past few years, the car auction market has boomed both in-person and on the web. Whether you want to take a trip to one of the world’s most trusted auctions or bid on an automobile in your pajamas, you can join the auction fray in a matter of minutes.

But, what do you do once you’ve bid on and won your dream car? How do you move your new beauty from the auction block into your garage?

Unless you’re lucky enough to bid on a car in your immediate area, you’ll need to make auto transport arrangements for your auto auction purchase. These car shipping arrangements will vary depending on the type of car that you have purchased.

For example, a fixer-upper from Salvage Bid is perfectly fine to transport on an
open car carrier. Of course, you’ll have to factor in added expenses if the car doesn’t run. But, open vehicle transport is still a smart option for a car that doesn’t need added protection.

However, if you’ve purchased a high-end collectible or unique antique at one of the famous car auctions mentioned above, you’ll need to arrange for vehicle transport on an enclosed car trailer. Enclosed car transport is structured in such a way to safeguard high-value vehicles from external hazards such as dust, dirt, rocks, inclement weather, and debris from other cars on the road.

No matter what your circumstances are, grab a free, no-obligation

car transport quote

from us right away. You’ll be surprised and delighted by the cost-effective, efficient car shipping services we offer!

3. USS Auction House

USS Auction House Logo

USS Auction House came into operation in 1980. USS is an abbreviation for Used Car System Solutions (USS). USS is well-known as the finest used car dealer in the automotive marketplace.

They have gradually opened many auction sites like Tohoku, Osaka, Fujioka, Shikoku, and many more. They have a network of approximately 1500 firms. USS offers new solutions and improves its management to create a better marketplace based on free market principles for its customers. It covers almost 30% of the Japanese used car marketplace. Transparent auctions are performed with innovative technologies and high-quality service is provided.

SMAP: (SPACE MOVE AUCTION PARK)

SMAP is another fleet and lease liquidation auction service. Rental companies and large corporations will send their vehicles in bulk under contract to SMAP Auction locations.

It is a “Blind Tender” style auction which means that buyers can put only 1 bid prior to close of tender period (generally around 2pm in the afternoon). At that time all bidding closes, and the auction will tally and sell the car to the highest bidder at the price they put. This means you can’t see what price others are bidding, and if you are the winning bidder you get the car at your tender price. There is no possibility to buy a car for less than the price you tendered. There is also no control over how many units you buy. If you place a tender on 10 units you may be the winner on all 10 and must therefore purchase all 10. You cannot cancel a tender after the time limit has passed.

6. Honda Auto Auction

Honda Auto Auction Logo

The cars unveiled by Honda dealers get into the Honda Auction House. The auction house was established in 1992. There are 6 locations in Japan where these internet-based auctions are held every Monday, which are Tokyo, Hokkaido, Kansai, Nagoya, Kyushu, and Sendai. Using the internet, one can join the auction from anywhere in the world.

HAA prioritises their customers first on the list so they are very popular among the masses for their research and user-friendly system.

HAA has this system of alert function that alerts you about the vehicle when approaching so you can use your time wisely. You can also have a reservation for the bidding. High-quality cars are put to auction at affordable prices. If you have any queries about the reservation you can get in contact with the team to get them solved.

2Copart

Official website: www.copart.com

Copart Auto Auctions, an international car auction house founded in 1982 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is one of the largest in the world. The company sells over 3 million vehicles annually and maintains a reputable website.

Over the past 35 years, Copart has been recognized by Forbes, the Confirmit ACE Award for exceptional customer service three years in a row, and Deloitte’s “The Exceptional 100 List of Top Performing U.S. Companies.» The company has also been featured on the television show World’s Best as the “World’s Best Remarketing Company.»

How to Buy A Car at an Auction

Here is the process of buying a car from an auction. Remember that the process may vary from auction to auction. 

Registration

The first step is to register yourself for the auction. The process can be online, or you have to physically visit the seller’s place. The seller might charge a registration fee from the buyers. There are car auctions in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and other places also, make sure to select the Emirate as per your convenience.   

Car Details

Once you are done with the registration, the seller will provide you with complete details regarding the vehicle. In case of online registration, the details will be available on the seller’s website. Whereas, in the case of physical registration you will be provided with the description before the bidding is initiated. 

Bid

Different car models are displayed over which buyers have to bid. Sellers have a reserved price for each car and the bidding starts after that price. For instance: if the reserved price is AED 20, the bidding will start from AED 21. Make sure you have a definite budget to avoid overbidding. 

It is suggested that buyers must draft a clear budget to avoid overbidding while purchasing from an auction

Complete Formalities

After successful bidding, the buyer will be provided a limited time to pay all the dues and complete the formalities. After that, the vehicle will be handed over to the buyer. 

These were all the pros and cons of buying a car from an auction. We hope that these pros and cons will help you decide whether to buy a car from an auction. If you are opting for an auction for the first time, read our blog on things to know before buying a car from an auction in Dubai and other Emirates.

However, if you want to avoid all of these hassles, you can buy a used car for sale in the UAE from dubizzle. Here, a number of inspected vehicles are listed for sale and due to the greater variety, you can easily find a car within your budget. 

Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more tips on buying a vehicle from an auction.

Types Of Auctions In Japan

Japan has three different kinds of car auctions:

• Online car auctions: For this, you are often required to join a membership program so you can participate in the real-time auction. Members get access to many tools for smooth participation.
• On-site car auctions: During on-site bidding, vehicles are set up with computer terminals. You must know what type you are looking for because these auctions end in seconds.
• Satellite car auctions: With the help of satellite terminals, members can participate in on-site car auctions. One can enter direct bids and also have information about vehicles put in the auction.

Let’s check the auction site in detail!

Step 5 – Making Your Bid

When «your» vehicle is driven onto the auction area, here is what you should keep in mind:

• Be sure you are bidding on the correct vehicle by noting the lot number or engine number.
• It is sometimes wise to let someone else start the bidding.
• Use the amount of activity as a guide to the vehicle’s popularity.
• When you’re ready and you feel the time is right, make your bid confidently so as not to be overlooked as many vehicles are auctioned in a short timeframe.
• Attract the attention of the auctioneer by holding up your hand or your bidder registration number.
• Make sure the auctioneer notices your first bid – he/she will then watch you for further bids.

Buying JDM Cars Locally in Canada / USA

Buying a JDM car from an auto dealer in Canada or the US, who has already imported and complianced the vehicle, is hassle-free as compared to importing directly from Japan.

When you buy an imported car locally, you need not worry about the compliance and safety standards requirements because this will be taken care of by your car dealer who has imported this car from Japan. It’s easier to check the credibility of your local dealer than that of a dealer who is sitting overseas. You can save yourself from odometer tampering and other frauds which take place in the automotive industry. Buying from a local dealer is simple and is done in fewer steps as compared to importing a car after purchasing it from a Japanese auction. Let us have a look at the buying process below:

• You inquire about your desired car through a call or an email. You will be required to identify your vehicle with a stock or reference number.
• The dealer will have a look at the details of your request and check for that car in the stock list, whether it’s available for sale or not.
• The dealer will give you an appointment for test-driving your desired vehicle. You can see all the inspection reports right there at the showroom and can also invite your trusted mechanic for further inspection.
• If everything goes well, the dealer will arrange a bill of sale for you, and you’ll be required to arrange the finances to pay for it.
• When you make the payment, the dealer will hand-over the car keys to you.

i-AUC: (INTERNET AUCTION)

i-Auc is an Auction Data Gathering Website. This company is not an auction itself, but rather collects the data of the auctions going on in Japan and displays them within it’s website. In this sense it is convenient to users that wish to check multiple auctions at the same time. However, to purchase through i-Auc will have increased fees compared to being a direct auction member and purchasing directly from the auction itself.

i-Auc does list vehicles for AUCNET and hold that online auction on Mondays, but AUCNET vehicles are cars located at the yards of AUCNET members. There is not a centralized auction house like the standard auctions in Japan.

i-Auc also lists “One Price” and similar after auction vehicle sales. See below “One Price” section for details.

5. ARAI Auction House

ARAI Auction House Logo

ARAI or AAA has been putting top-grade vehicles in the auction for customers for the last 35 years. They maintain a strong network with around 35k registered dealers. They bring the latest stock to the platform along with transparent information about the vehicle at affordable rates.

It is one of the most reputed auction houses in Japan that deals in motorcycles, commercial vehicles, vans, cars, etc. Approximately 8k vehicles are traded every week by AAA. The brand is also associated with NAA (National Auto Auction Association).

ARAI allows people to join the auction per year through “membership communication” with business partner sites and the “mutual entry of the Internet services” with them. The team members themselves visit the site to inspect the vehicle comprehensively confirming its condition.

A Few Tips For Online Car Buying

Now that you have more information on how an online car auction works and what the best online car sales auction sites are, you’ll have a better time when you’re shopping for a vehicle. Whether you’re just looking for a car to use yourself or you’re stocking up for your used car dealership, you’ll have the proper knowledge to get the best cars around at the most affordable prices too.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a big impact on the auto industry, which means there’s no better time than now to get the best prices on used cars. Not only that, but it’s also much cheaper and easier to ship your vehicles too. So take advantage of this situation and purchase the cars you need.

When you’re ready to ship a car from an auction, grab a quote from our online car shipping calculator. You’ll be glad you did.

Before you set your sights on a particular car or start bidding on cars in general, though, it pays to do some online research.

For example, how much do repairs usually cost for this make and model of vehicle? How long is its usual lifespan? What are some key issues owners have and are there affordable/easy ways to get around them?

Your research should also include finding out what the Kelly Blue Book prices are for the cars you’d like. By doing so, you can set reasonable car auction bids and know that you’re not paying an absurd amount for your automobile of choice.

When going through the lists of cars available, make sure to take note of both the age of the car and the mileage. Obviously, the newer the car and the less mileage it has, the better.

In general, a car should accumulate about 13,000 miles per year. If a relatively new vehicle already has 100,000 miles on it, then that’s likely a red flag.

One downside to online car buying is you can’t see the car for yourself. This means you’ll have to be very thorough and take every precaution available to inspect the vehicle as best you can. At in-person auctions, you have the option of personally inspecting the vehicles and even bringing a mechanic with you to have a second pair of expert eyes.