Terms of Service
Welcome to Robust Auto. Thank you for considering us for your vehicle purchase. Our team is dedicated to providing a seamless, transparent buying experience from the auction floor to your home port.
Robust Auto (個人事業 / Sole Proprietorship) is a registered used vehicle dealer, auction procurement agent, and exporter based in Tokyo, Japan.
Robust Auto Business Registration Number
Registered Dealer Of Used Goods Number 307752620673
These Terms and Conditions govern all auction bidding, invoicing, shipping logistics, and post-purchase claims between Robust Auto and our clients.
We require all clients to review this agreement in full before placing a bid or sending a deposit. By depositing funds or instructing Robust Auto to bid on your behalf, you agree to be bound by all terms outlined herein.
ARTICLE 1
Purchase Terms & Scope of Agency
1.1 Robust Auto acts solely as a purchasing agent for the procurement of vehicles from Japanese wholesale auto auctions and domestic used car dealerships.
1.2 Robust Auto serves strictly as an intermediary in this capacity and does not warrant, guarantee, or assume liability for any vehicle purchased on the Customer’s behalf.
1.3 All vehicles — whether purchased through auctions, third-party dealers, or directly from Robust Auto’s own inventory — are sold strictly on an “as-is” basis. No express or implied warranties of any kind are made regarding vehicle condition, quality, or performance.
ARTICLE 2
Service Fees and Cost
2.1 Robust Auto charges a flat-rate service fee of ¥90,000 (“Standard Fee”). This fee covers all services listed on our pricing page.
2.2 For vehicles with a purchase price exceeding ¥1,000,000, an additional charge of 5% shall apply to the amount exceeding ¥1,000,000.
2.3 The Customer shall be responsible for the following additional costs, which are not included in the Standard Fee:
(a) Inland transportation costs; and
(b) Auction purchase fees, typically ranging from ¥10,000 to ¥20,000, though actual costs may vary depending on the auction house.
2.4 Robust Auto will use reasonable efforts to notify the Customer of any anticipated additional costs prior to bidding. However, the Customer acknowledges that certain costs may not be identifiable until after purchase. Vehicles with low ground clearance, vehicles of tall dimensions, and vehicles over 25 years of age carry an increased likelihood of such unforeseen costs.
2.5 Robust Auto does not charge consumption tax on any service, including but not limited to vehicle costs, transportation, mechanical work, and parts.
2.6 A receiving fee of ¥2,500 may apply to non-vehicle invoices, depending on the transfer method used.
ARTICLE 3
Security Deposit
3.1 A security deposit is required prior to any bidding activity or dealer purchase inquiry submitted on the Customer’s behalf, in accordance with the following schedule:
(a) For bids up to ¥1,000,000, a deposit of ¥100,000 is required;
(b) For bids exceeding ¥1,000,000, a deposit of ¥300,000 is required; and
(c) For bids exceeding ¥5,000,000, a deposit equal to 50% of the bid amount is required.
3.2 The Customer may elect to have the security deposit applied toward the final invoice or held by Robust Auto for use in future bidding activity.
3.3 Upon successfully winning a vehicle, the applicable deposit shall be frozen and held against that vehicle’s invoice until payment is received in full. Customers intending to bid on multiple vehicles concurrently must place a separate security deposit for each vehicle.
3.4 Security deposits are refundable in full at any time, for any reason, subject to Clause 3.5.
3.5 Where a deposit is refunded without being applied toward a completed purchase, an administrative fee of ¥5,000 shall be deducted to cover transfer costs.
3.6 Refunds shall be issued only to the account and account holder from which the original deposit was received. Robust Auto reserves the right to decline refund requests directing payment to a third party or alternate account.
ARTICLE 4
Payment
4.1 Payment for all invoices must be received within seven (7) calendar days of the vehicle purchase date, regardless of the date on which the invoice is issued.
4.2 The Customer is responsible for confirming their preferred payment/transfer method in advance of placing any bid, in order to avoid delays in payment. Robust Auto strongly recommends using the same transfer method for the security deposit and the final payment.
4.3 Where the payment due date falls on a public holiday in Japan, the due date shall automatically move to the next business day.
4.4 Payments received later than seven (7) calendar days from the invoice date may be subject to a late payment penalty, unless late payment has been explicitly authorized in advance by Robust Auto.
4.5 A late payment penalty of ¥5,000 per day shall apply beginning on the 8th day after the invoice date, irrespective of the total invoice amount.
4.6 Failure to remit payment in full within fourteen (14) calendar days of the invoice date may result in forfeiture of the security deposit associated with that purchase.
ARTICLE 5
Auction Sheet
5.1 The auction inspection report (“Auction Sheet”) provides an outline of the vehicle’s condition and serves as the primary basis for assessing vehicle condition prior to purchase.
5.2 The Customer acknowledges that auction reports may, in certain instances, fail to identify existing vehicle damage. In most cases, such discrepancies are not claimable against the auction house. Robust Auto does not warrant or accept responsibility for the accuracy of information contained in the Auction Sheet.
5.3 Vehicles that are over 15 years old, of lower auction grade, or with higher mileage carry an increased likelihood of undetected or unreported damage. Each auction house maintains its own independent claims policy; Customers seeking further detail should consult their sales representative.
5.4 An English translation of the Auction Sheet will be provided upon request. While every effort is made to complete translations in a timely manner, Robust Auto cannot guarantee translation will be completed prior to the applicable bidding deadline in all cases.
5.5 In the event of a translation error attributable to Robust Auto staff, Robust Auto will engage in good-faith negotiation with the Customer to reach an appropriate resolution.
5.6 It is the Customer’s sole responsibility to read, understand, and accept the auction information published at www.robustautojp.com/auction-info prior to placing any bid.
ARTICLE 6
Bidding
6.1 Bids must be submitted via email to the address provided by the Customer’s assigned sales representative.
6.2 Bids should be submitted as early as possible. Bids received within one (1) hour of the scheduled auction time are unlikely to be registered in time.
6.3 Robust Auto cannot guarantee that all bids will be successfully registered prior to the auction deadline.
6.4 Customers may bid on multiple vehicles within a single day using one security deposit, provided sufficient deposit funds remain available to cover each bid.
6.5 Robust Auto reserves the right to cancel any pending or future bids once the Customer’s available deposit balance has been exhausted.
ARTICLE 7
Robust Auto Vehicle Report
7.1 For an additional fee of ¥20,000, Robust Auto offers an optional Vehicle Report, comprising approximately 80 photographs and 15 minutes of video documenting the vehicle’s condition.
7.2 To receive the Vehicle Report, the vehicle must be delivered to the Robust Auto lot rather than directly to the port.
7.3 The Vehicle Report is provided solely to give the Customer detailed visual information regarding the vehicle’s condition. Robust Auto does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the report and does not accept claims for damage or defects not identified within it.
7.4 Customers who do not opt for the Vehicle Report will instead receive a standard set of port photographs, typically 8–10 images, with no accompanying video. In such cases, Robust Auto staff will not personally inspect the vehicle prior to export.
ARTICLE 8
Vehicle Mechanical Liability
8.1 Upon a successful bid, the Customer becomes the de facto owner of the vehicle and is thereby liable for any costs arising from mechanical issues, including but not limited to mechanical repairs, transportation costs, and port removal fees.
8.2 In the event of mechanical problems, the Customer’s sales representative will advise on available options, which may include repairing the vehicle or arranging its resale within Japan.
8.3 Transport companies may decline to drive vehicles deemed potentially problematic. In such cases, the vehicle will be transported via car carrier at an increased cost. Vehicles older than 30 years must be transported by car carrier at an additional cost as a matter of course.
8.4 Robust Auto will make reasonable efforts to source the most competitive transport pricing available; however, the Customer must agree to bear any additional transport costs where applicable.
8.5 Vehicles removed from the port for maintenance purposes will incur a port-exit fee, typically approximately ¥4,500, plus applicable storage costs for each day the vehicle remained at the port.
8.6 Customers anticipating the need for maintenance in Japan, or those purchasing higher-risk vehicles, are advised to arrange for delivery of the vehicle to the Robust Auto lot prior to export.
ARTICLE 9
Spare Parts
9.1 Auction vehicles may occasionally include spare parts found within the vehicle at the time of purchase. Where present, these parts may be shipped to the Customer for an additional service fee.
9.2 Spare parts shipping is available only for vehicles routed through the Robust Auto lot prior to export. For vehicles shipped directly to the port, any spare parts will be automatically disposed of. In accordance with RORO carrier regulations, parts may not be shipped inside the vehicle itself.
9.3 Customers wishing to receive spare parts will be charged a handling fee of ¥2,000, a packaging fee (typically ranging from ¥500 to ¥2,000), and applicable shipping costs.
9.4 Where spare parts are not requested by the Customer, Robust Auto reserves the right to dispose of such parts at its discretion. Robust Auto does not offer services to purchase spare parts from Customers or to sell such parts on a Customer’s behalf. Any applicable disposal fees shall be the responsibility of the Customer.
ARTICLE 10
Extra Costs for Special Cases
10.1 Vehicles registered as camping vehicles are subject to an additional fee of ¥90,000.
10.2 Customers located within Japan are subject to an additional fee of ¥50,000, will be charged consumption tax at a rate of 10%, and are subject to additional terms applicable to domestic transactions.
10.3 Certain destination countries require additional pre-export testing. Where applicable, such testing shall be charged separately and is not included in the Standard Fee.
ARTICLE 11
Third-Party Mechanic Work
11.1 Robust Auto maintains a network of third-party shops to carry out mechanical work on vehicles prior to export.
11.2 Robust Auto charges a 15% management fee on any outsourced mechanical work, and will pass along applicable volume discounts to the Customer where available. Consistent with Article 2.5, no consumption tax is charged on this fee.
11.3 Prior to commencing any work, Robust Auto will provide the Customer with a quote outlining the recommended work and associated pricing. Written authorization from the Customer is required before any work proceeds.
11.4 All mechanical work is provided without guarantee or warranty from Robust Auto. This includes, but is not limited to, issues discovered after shipping, costs exceeding the original quote, and parts damaged in the course of maintenance.
11.5 Vehicles over 20 years old are particularly susceptible to mechanical failure and may present repair challenges that are more difficult or costly to resolve.
ARTICLE 12
Storage
12.1 Vehicles scheduled for immediate export will be provided free storage at the port.
12.2 Vehicles not exported immediately — whether due to mechanical work, shipping delays, or at the Customer’s request — will receive thirty (30) days of free storage at the port.
12.3 Robust Auto does not offer storage at its own lot, except for vehicles awaiting mechanical work.
12.4 Following expiration of the free storage period, the Customer will be invoiced for actual storage costs incurred. This is typically approximately ¥450 per day, though the exact rate varies by port of export.
ARTICLE 13
Post
13.1 Robust Auto will cover the cost of shipping export documents to the Customer via DHL, up to a maximum of ¥5,000. Any costs exceeding this amount will be charged to the Customer.
13.2 Vehicle manuals and other accompanying paperwork will be placed inside the vehicle prior to export.
ARTICLE 14
Shipping
14.1 Vehicles may be shipped via RORO (Roll-On/Roll-Off) or container. Robust Auto will recommend the shipment method best suited to the Customer’s circumstances; however, not all shipping types are available to all destinations or ports.
14.2 Vehicles will not be shipped until full payment for the vehicle has been received.
14.3 Freight costs will be invoiced at the time of purchase, calculated using the exchange rate applicable on the purchase date. Robust Auto does not offer COLLECT shipping payment terms.
14.4 Mechanical or other issues may arise that prevent a vehicle from being loaded for shipment. The Customer is responsible for any resulting additional costs and acknowledges that such circumstances may result in delays and additional storage charges. Robust Auto shall not be liable to compensate the Customer in such cases.
14.5 Full coverage insurance is available upon request, at additional cost. This policy covers the vehicle against natural-cause damage and human error from the time of loading until the time the vehicle is received by the Customer. It does not cover mechanical failure or any costs associated therewith.
14.6 The insurance policy is underwritten by an independent third-party provider. Robust Auto accepts no liability for claims decisions or the performance of the insurance company. While no deductible applies, all claims remain subject to the insurance company’s approval. Customers seeking further detail should consult their sales representative.
14.7 Vehicle age, for the purposes of these Terms, is determined by the month and year of first registration in Japan as documented on the Japanese registration certificate, not the date of manufacture. The Customer acknowledges that production date and first-registration date may differ in some cases. Robust Auto does not provide documentation verifying manufacture date; sourcing such documentation, where required, is the sole responsibility of the Customer.
ARTICLE 15
Pickup and Import
15.1 Robust Auto acts solely as an exporter and is not responsible for the import of any vehicle into the Customer’s destination country.
15.2 While the Customer’s sales representative may offer general advice regarding importation, full liability for the import process rests with the Customer. This includes, but is not limited to, import duties, taxes, port fees, customs costs, and storage charges.
15.3 Where a Customer attempts to import a vehicle that does not meet the legal requirements of the destination country, Robust Auto accepts no liability for any resulting costs or losses.
ARTICLE 16
Third-Party Purchases
16.1 Customers purchasing a vehicle on behalf of another buyer remain fully responsible for that purchase, including any late payment penalties or forfeited deposits resulting from the third-party buyer’s non-payment.
16.2 Customers acting in this capacity are strongly advised to collect a deposit of equal or greater value from their buyer prior to bidding, in order to mitigate this risk.