R grade and RA grade: what they mean before you buy
R and RA are the two grades that should make a buyer slow down. Both mean the car has been in an accident and repaired — here's the difference, the price impact, and how to verify the grade is real.
R grade = accident-repaired, airbags not deployed (usually a lower-energy impact). RA grade = accident-repaired, airbags deployed (usually a heavier hit, higher structural risk). Both mean documented repair history regardless of how the car looks today. Expect roughly 25–40% off for R and 50–65% off for RA versus a clean grade.
R vs RA at a glance
| Grade | Meaning | Typical impact | Price vs clean | Buy? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | Repaired, airbags not deployed | Lower-energy | ~25–40% less | Maybe — inspect first |
| RA | Repaired, airbags deployed | Heavier, possible structural | ~50–65% less | Usually avoid for family use |
Grading conventions differ slightly between auction houses, so the grade is the headline — the damage diagram and inspector notes are the detail. Read all three.
Where R and RA sit among the grades
| Grade | What it means |
|---|---|
| S | Effectively new / as-new condition |
| 6 | Near-new, very low mileage |
| 5 | Excellent, minimal wear |
| 4.5 | Very good, light cosmetic wear |
| 4 | Good, average for age; the common "clean" grade |
| 3.5 | Some cosmetic issues, still solid |
| 3 | Noticeable wear or previous repairs |
| R / RA | Repair (accident) history — see below |
| 1 | Modified, or heavily worn / as-is |
| 0 / *** / ★ | Special: as-is, unregistered, or flood/fire — read the notes |
Reading the damage diagram
The car outline on the sheet is annotated with letter-and-number codes. These reveal repairs even on cars without an R grade — a cluster of W or XX marks is a repair story of its own.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | Scratch — graded A1 (small) → A2 → A3 (large) |
| U | Dent — U1 → U2 → U3 by size |
| W | Wave / repair — repaired or repainted panel (W1→W3 by extent) |
| XX | Panel replaced |
| X | Panel needs replacing |
| S | Rust |
| C | Corrosion |
| P | Paint mark / paint imperfection |
| B | Dent with scratch |
CarTrust translates these codes on every auction sheet it shows, so panel repairs are readable rather than buried in Japanese shorthand.
How to check an R/RA grade before buying
Find the grade on the sheet
The overall grade sits in the top corner of the auction sheet; the interior grade (A–D) is separate. R or RA there means documented accident-repair history.
Read the damage diagram
The car outline is annotated with letter codes (see the table below). W, XX and multiple marks in one area point to significant repair, not just cosmetic wear.
Verify the grade against the source record
Because a seller's copy can be edited, confirm the grade in the record itself. CarTrust pulls the grade as recorded, for every auction appearance, by chassis/VIN.
Get a physical inspection for any R/RA car
The grade tells you a repair happened; only a hands-on inspection of the actual repair tells you how well. Have an R/RA candidate checked by an independent mechanic before buying.
Frequently asked questions
What does R grade mean on a Japanese auction sheet?
R grade means the car has repair history — it was in an accident and repaired — but without airbag deployment, so the impact was generally lower-energy. Whether it's a sensible buy depends heavily on where the damage was and how well it was repaired.
What does RA grade mean?
RA grade means accident repair where the airbags deployed. Airbags typically fire in more significant impacts, so RA usually indicates a heavier hit and a higher chance of structural repair. Most buyers avoid RA cars for family transport.
What is the difference between R and RA grade?
Both mean accident-repaired. The distinction is airbag deployment: R = repaired, airbags not deployed; RA = repaired, airbags deployed (generally a bigger impact and greater structural concern). Grading conventions vary slightly between auction houses, so always read the sheet notes and damage diagram too.
Is an R grade car safe to buy?
It can be, if the damage was minor and localised and the repair was done to a high standard — Japanese repair quality is generally good. The risk is structural or poorly-executed repair you can't see. Treat R as "proceed only with an independent physical inspection", and expect a meaningful discount.
Is RA grade safe to buy?
RA carries more risk because airbag deployment points to a harder impact and possible structural repair, which can be made to look perfect while affecting crash performance in a future accident. It is generally not recommended for personal or family transport unless you fully understand and accept the repair.
How much cheaper should an R or RA car be?
As a rough guide, R grade typically trades around 25–40% below a comparable clean grade, and RA around 50–65% below. If an R/RA car is priced like a clean one, either the grade has been misrepresented or you're overpaying — verify the grade at source.
What does W or XX mean on the damage diagram?
W marks a repaired or repainted panel (a "wave" in the metal or paint); XX means the panel was replaced. Several W or XX marks clustered in one area indicate real repair work, even on a car without an R grade.