What is vehicle grading?
All cars entered for general car auctions are subject to a structured appraisal process to assess the cosmetic condition of the vehicle at the time it is entered for auction.
All notes are documented using a standard appraisal form.
This grading provides a fair and accurate representation of the vehicle’s visual condition to support buyers, particularly those bidding online.
Vehicles under 10 years old/under 100,000 miles
| Vehicles over 10 years old/over 100,000 miles
|
Our grading scale: Grade 1 to Grade 5
Vehicles are graded on a scale from 1 (best condition) to 5 (poorest condition).
Grade 1 – Ready to retail
Excellent cosmetic condition
Only very minor (if any) preparation required to be ‘retail ready’
E.g. wheel refurbishment and ‘touching-in’ of minor chips and scratches.
Grade 2 – Above average condition
- Very good (above average) cosmetic condition
- Minor preparation required e.g. wheel refurbishment, paint smart repairs, trim replacement etc.
- Glass panels may require repair due to chips
Grade 3 – Average used condition
Average cosmetic condition for the age and mileage of the vehicle
- Requires multiple body panels to be re-painted, trim replacements and wheel refurbishments
- May show age-related wear to the interior including seats and headlining
- Glass panels may need replacing due to cracks
Grade 4 – Below average condition
Below average cosmetic condition for the age and mileage of the vehicle
- In addition to Grade 3; requires multiple body panels to be repainted/replaced due to large dents/areas of damage
- Interior may show wear that is excessive for the age and mileage
Grade 5 – Significant cosmetic damage
Very poor cosmetic condition for the age and mileage of the vehicle
- In addition to Grade 4; vehicle may have accident damage requiring repair and be missing body panels
Half grades for greater accuracy
Where appropriate, vehicles may be assigned a half grade, such as 1.5, 2.5, or 3.5.
This allows us to represent condition more precisely when a vehicle falls between standard grade levels.
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What our appraisal process includes
Our experienced graders complete a structured inspection of each vehicle, including:
Exterior body panels
Wheels and tyres
Interior condition
Visible cosmetic defects
Vehicle specification and features
Photographic documentation
Typically, between 20 and 40 photographs are taken to provide a comprehensive visual record of the vehicle.
This ensures buyers can assess condition remotely with clarity and confidence.
Important: grading is cosmetic only
Vehicle grading reflects cosmetic condition only.
Grading does not include:
Mechanical inspection
Road testing
Mechanical guarantees
Dashboard warning lights and visible indicators are photographed and recorded where present, but buyers remain responsible for satisfying themselves as to the vehicle’s mechanical condition.
Full details are available in our Online Auction Terms and Conditions
Viewing vehicles before bidding
Our vehicle gradings are to be used for guidance only; we strongly encourage buyers to view vehicles in person before bidding, where possible.
At Hobbs Parker Car Auctions, buyers can:
Inspect vehicles inside and out and start the engine
Review service history where available
Make their own arrangements for an assessment by a third party if desired
This provides complete transparency and confidence before purchase.
