Check Manufacture Year-Japan partner
When buying a Japanese used car, one of the biggest scams involves fake manufacturing years (model years) to make the car appear newer than it really is. Here’s how to detect and avoid these scams:
1. Common Japanese Used Car ScamsA. Odometer Fraud (Mileage Tampering) - Scammers roll back the odometer to show lower mileage. - Check: Service records, auction sheets (if imported), and wear on pedals/steering wheel.
B. Fake Model Year (Manufacturing Year Scam) - A 2010 car might be advertised as a 2015 model to increase its value. - **How it’s done: - Altered registration papers. - Fake auction sheets. - Misleading VIN decoding.
C. Rebuilt Salvage/Rebranded Flood Cars - Cars damaged in floods (especially from 2011 tsunami) are repaired and sold as "clean." - Check: Rust under carpets, musty smell, and mismatched paint.
D. Fake Export Certificates** - Scammers forge **JAAI, JEVIC, or Dealer Export Certificates** to hide the car’s real history.
2. How to Verify the REAL Manufacturing Year
A. Check the VIN/Chassis Number - The **10th character** in the VIN (for most cars) indicates the model year (not always exact for Japanese domestic cars). - Example: - "D" = 2013 - "G" = 2016 - "L" = 2020 - Use a JDM VIN decoder (e.g., [JDMVIN](https://www.jdmvin.com)).
B. Inspect the Car’s Manufacturing Plate** - Look for the 製造年月 (Seizō Nengetsu – Production Date)sticker: - Usually inside the door frame, under the hood, or near the firewall. - Compare this with the seller’s claimed year.
C. Get the Auction Sheet (If Imported from Japan) - Genuine auction sheets** (from USS, TAA, etc.) show: - Manufacture year - Mileage - Grade (4/5 = Good, R/RA = Repaired Accident) - Red flags: - No auction sheet provided. - Auction sheet looks photoshopped.
D. Check the "Shaken" (車検) Sticker - Japanese cars undergo mandatory inspections every 2 years. - The **Shaken sticker** on the windshield shows the last inspection date. - If the car is claimed to be 2025 but the last shaken was 2022, it’s likely older.
E. Verify with Japanese Databases - For cars exported from Japan: - [CarVX] (https://carvx.jp) – Checks auction history. - [Goo-Net](https://www.goo-net.com) – Japanese used car listings. - If the VIN doesn’t match records → likely a scam.
3. Warning Signs of a Fake Year Scam Seller refuses to share VIN/chassis number. No auction sheet or export documents. Registration papers show inconsistencies. Physical wear (seats, pedals, rust) doesn’t match the claimed year. Price is too good for the supposed model year.
4. How to Avoid Getting Scammed Buy from reputable dealers (check JUMVEA-certified exporters). Demand the auction sheet & export certificate. Get a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) by a mechanic. Avoid deals with no paperwork or pressure to buy fast“What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed?”
Report to JUMVEA (Japan Used Motor Vehicle Exporters Association). - Contact the local consumer protection agency. - If bought online (eBay, Facebook), file a dispute.
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