SS Holdings

Service

Live auction access.

Bid in real time at major Japanese vehicle auctions — with translated auction sheets, on-the-floor support, transparent fees, and one accountable specialist from inquiry through to delivery.

Register

Register for our Live Auction Service.

Fill in the inquiry form below or email us your registration request at auction@ss.holdings.

Inquiry form

About the service

Can't find it on the stocklist?

If the unit you want isn't in our regular stocklist, the Live Auction Service lets us source it from the wider Japanese auction network on your behalf.

Buying from Japanese auctions, made easier

We help you bid on and buy cars from Japan's live auction houses. The process can feel complex the first time — your specialist walks you through every step.

Access to Japan's full auction inventory

Tap into 150+ auction houses across Japan with over 100,000 vehicles updated weekly. The wider the pool, the better the chance of finding the exact unit you want.

Free consultation + auction-sheet translation

We help you choose the right year, engine and grade for your country's regulations — and we translate every Japanese auction sheet into plain English at no extra cost.

Coverage

Eight regions across Japan.

From Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south — each region has its own typical stock. We route your search to wherever the right car is most likely to surface.

Map of Japan with the eight auction regions we cover — Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu

Regions & typical stock

RegionTypical stock
HokkaidoCold-climate stock — 4WDs, light trucks, all-season SUVs
TohokuVolume sedans, family wagons
KantoPremium grades, low-mileage near-new
ChubuCompact + kei segment, hybrids
KansaiVans, SUVs, broad mainstream pool
ChugokuDiesel commercial, light vans
ShikokuMini trucks (kei trucks), agricultural utility
KyushuTropical-climate stock, exporter-friendly

Process

Live auction order steps.

Eight steps from registration to driving the car. Each step is owned by either you, us, or both.

  1. Step 1

    Registration

    You

    Fill in the inquiry form on this page or email us at auction@ss.holdings telling us you'd like to join the Live Auction Service. We'll process your registration.

  2. Step 2

    Look for a vehicle

    You

    Once registered, you can browse the upcoming auction lots. Search by make, model, year band, mileage cap, grade — narrow it down to a shortlist.

  3. Step 3

    Advance deposit

    You

    A refundable security deposit is required by wire transfer before any bid is placed. The amount depends on the vehicle's price (table below). Minimum USD 1,000. Fully refundable until you win — cancellation fees apply once a bid is successful.

  4. Step 4

    Choose a vehicle

    You + SS Holdings

    Place your maximum bid on units that interest you — up to 10 per day. We translate the auction sheet, share photos and condition notes, then activate your bid.

  5. Step 5

    Bidding starts

    SS Holdings

    We bid on your behalf in real time. Your specialist contacts you with the result. If you win, we issue a Proforma Invoice for the remaining balance.

  6. Step 6

    Final payment

    You

    Pay the balance shown on the Proforma Invoice via bank wire or PayPal. Additional charges may apply (inspection, packing for container shipping, etc.) and are itemised on the invoice.

  7. Step 7

    Yard inspection & shipping

    You + SS Holdings

    Once payment clears, we arrange yard inspection, prepare export documents and book the vessel. Track every milestone on your customer panel from preparation to delivery.

  8. Step 8

    Enjoy your ride

    You

    The vehicle clears your destination port. You handle local clearing costs, import duties and any port fees per your country's rules — your specialist briefs you on what to expect.

Advance deposit

Deposit by vehicle price.

The deposit scales with the price band of the vehicle you intend to bid on. Minimum accepted is USD 1,000. The deposit is fully refundable while no bid is successful (bank charges apply); cancellation fees apply once you win.

Vehicle price (JPY)Deposit (JPY)
Up to ¥1,000,000¥100,000
¥1,000,001 – ¥2,000,000¥200,000
¥2,000,001 – ¥3,000,000¥300,000
¥3,000,001 – ¥4,000,000¥400,000
¥4,000,001 – ¥5,000,000¥500,000
Over ¥5,000,00120% of vehicle price

Inquiry form

Send a live auction request.

Tell us what you're looking for — make, model, year band, max budget. A specialist reviews the upcoming lots and reaches out within one business day. Prefer email? auction@ss.holdings

Live auction request

We'll review the upcoming lots and reach out within one business day.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

Auction & bidding

What is the bid price?
The maximum amount you authorise us to bid on a specific lot. We never bid above this number — if the auction goes higher, you simply don't win and pay nothing.
Why do I need to make an advance deposit?
Japanese auction houses require buyers to be financially committed before bids are accepted. The deposit acts as a bid bond — it stays in trust and is refunded in full if you don't win, or rolled into the invoice if you do.
Is the deposit refundable?
Yes, fully refundable as long as you haven't won a bid. Bank charges apply on the refund wire. After a successful bid, cancellation fees apply (see Q7).
Is there a deadline for placing bids?
Yes — each auction lot has a fixed start time. Bids must reach us at least 24 hours before the lot opens so the auction sheet review and bid activation can complete in time.
What if I bid on multiple vehicles but only want one?
You can place bids on up to 10 lots per day. Once you win one, your remaining open bids on competing lots are cancelled automatically so you don't accidentally win two cars.
After I win, when is the balance payment due?
Typically within 5–7 business days of the Proforma Invoice. Your specialist gives you the exact deadline — Japanese auction houses charge yard storage if payment is late.
Is it still possible to cancel after winning the bid?
Technically yes, but cancellation fees apply: the auction house penalty (paid to them) plus a non-refundable portion of our service fee. The exact figures are in the cancellation clause of your registration.

Pricing & shipping

What costs do I need to cover via Live Auction?
Winning bid amount + auction-house buyer fee (passed through at cost) + our auction service fee (flat, quoted up-front) + freight + insurance + export documentation + optional SS Warranty. See the full fee structure in the Pricing section above.
What does the Auction Service Fee include?
Pre-bid review, translation of the auction sheet, real-time bidding by our specialist, post-win invoice management, yard-inspection coordination and export-document handling. One flat fee per won bid — no per-stage surcharges.
Can I add SS Warranty to a vehicle won at auction?
Yes — SS Warranty is available on auction-won units the same way it is on regular inventory. Tell your specialist before the Proforma Invoice is finalised so the warranty premium is included on the same payment wire.
Can I ship auto parts inside the vehicle?
Sometimes, but this is restricted by the destination country and the carrier. For container shipments it's usually fine; for RoRo it depends on the line. Confirm with your specialist before payment.

Vehicle condition

How do you verify the vehicle's condition?
Each auction lot has an official auction sheet from an independent JP inspector (graded 0–5 with notes on accident history, repairs, mileage authenticity). Before you bid we translate the sheet, share the photos, and our agent on the floor cross-checks the unit. After the win, an additional yard inspection happens before shipping.
How do I read the auction sheets?
Auction sheets use a standardised grading system (5 = nearly new, 4 = excellent, 3.5/3 = good with minor wear, R = repair history, etc.) plus a condition map of body panels. Your specialist walks you through your shortlist's sheets in plain English — you don't need to read Japanese.

Get started

Register for our Live Auction Service.

Fill in the inquiry form above or email auction@ss.holdings.

Inquiry form

Need to talk first?

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Not ready to file a full request? Reach out via the contact page and a specialist will walk you through how live access works in your destination market.

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