Auction inspectors in Japan write their notes by hand. Google Translate often fails to read handwritten Japanese ("Katakana" and "Kanji"), leaving you guessing about critical notes.
Is that note saying "New Tires" or "Transmission Slip"? One makes you money; the other costs you Ksh 200,000.
This guide is your Emergency Glossary. Keep this page open when you are bidding. We have broken it down into "The Good," "The Bad," and "The Fatal."
1. The "Fatal" Words (Do Not Bid)
If you see these characters in the Inspector Notes (Negative Points section), do not buy the car unless you are buying it for parts.
⚠️ DANGER ZONE
| Kanji (Look for this) | Meaning |
|---|---|
| エンジン異音 | Engine Noise (Enjin Ion). Knocking or ticking. The engine is dying. |
| 滑り | Transmission Slip (Suberi). The gearbox is failing. Common in older CVTs. |
| オイル漏れ | Oil Leak (Oiru More). Active dripping. (Note: "Seep" / Nijimi is okay, but More is bad). |
| 白煙 | White Smoke (Haku-en). Burning oil (worn piston rings) or turbo failure. |
| 腐食 | Corrosion (Fushoku). Rot. The metal is eaten away. Structural failure. |
2. The "Warning" Words (Bid with Caution)
These are negotiable. You can buy these cars, but you should lower your bid price to account for repairs.
| サビ (Sabi) | Rust. Surface rust. Common on the undercarriage. Treatable if minor. |
| ヤニ (Yani) | Cigarette Smell. Smoker’s car. Expect yellow ceiling and smell. |
| 動物毛 (Doubutsu Ke) | Pet Hair. Dog/Cat hair. Needs deep cleaning. |
| 飛び石 (Tobi-ishi) | Stone Chip. Chips on the windshield or bonnet. Usually minor. |
| 塗装ハゲ (Toso Hage) | Paint Fade. Clear coat is peeling. Common on red/black cars. |
3. The "Good" Words (Value Add)
These terms add value. If you see these, the car is likely a gem.
- ワンオーナー (One Owner): Only one previous owner. Usually better maintained.
- 記録簿 (Records Available): Service history book is present. Vital for mileage verification.
- スペアキー (Spare Key): Comes with the extra key fob. (Smart keys cost Ksh 15,000+ to replace).
- 取説 (User Manual): Original manual included.
4. Common Equipment Abbreviations
You will often see these in the "Sales Points" (Positive) section.
- SR: Sunroof / Moonroof (Huge resale value in Kenya).
- AW: Alloy Wheels (Rims).
- PS: Power Steering.
- PW: Power Windows.
- AAC: Automatic Air Conditioner (Climate Control).
- Kawa (革): Leather Seats.
- Navi: Navigation System (Usually needs to be replaced in Kenya).
Summary
The most dangerous word on this list is 滑り (Suberi / Slip). It is small and easy to