Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI | Used Car Buying Guide

Eighteen years on, whether you buy a used grey (personal) import or former UK Ralliart car is not important. Of greater concern is the number of tuned Evos of dubious quality. The engine can go to 400bhp, but beyond that, you’re asking for trouble. Keep it standard or lightly breathed on, value condition over mileage and look forward to a long and happy retirement.

An expert’s view...

TRISTAN LONGDEN (TORQUE GT)

“The Evo VI is one of the hardest Japanese performance cars to find here as well as in Japan. It has enjoyed a bit of a renaissance in recent years. It may be high-tech, but compared with today’s cars, it offers buyers a purer, more analogue experience. Common problems across all types are rusty chassis legs and wheel arches (it’s why we avoid sourcing Evo VIs from the north of Japan, where they use road salt), and a rusty wastegate that causes a drop in boost pressure. Suspension parts will be tired now so expect to replace drop-links and springs. If the tappets continue to make a ticking noise after the engine has warmed up, the gearbox whines and the AYC squawks in corners, call your bank manager.”

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI problems

ENGINE

Test it from cold. It needs servicing every 4500 miles, using fully synthetic oil, and a cambelt every 40,000. It prefers a diet of super-unleaded. Look for exhaust smoke: grey or blue is not good, white on start-up is okay. Check any tappet noise clears as the engine temperature rises. New lash adjusters may fix it (they are not expensive). Inspect the turbo wastegate for rust and the coolant reservoir for leaks. Ensure any mods have supporting paperwork.

TRANSMISSION

Check the clutch works. Around 40,000 miles with careful driving is a typical lifespan. Listen for gearbox whine, indicating worn input shaft bearings or a worn transfer ’box. Notchy gearchanges could be worn synchros. Listen for the AYC squawking in corners. Ensure the AYC light illuminates briefly on start-up. Check for evidence of fresh oil every 25,000 miles or so.

ELECTRICS

Interrogate the car’s diagnostic system by tracking down a dealer with a Mitsubishi MUT-II diagnostic computer.

SUSPENSION

Expect to hear noises and creaks at this age, even on lower-mileage cars. Worn struts, drop-links, springs, dampers, bushes — they all give up.

BRAKES

Worn discs are common. Check by braking hard several times at around 70mph and feeling for a juddery steering wheel and brake pedal.

BODY

Check for crash damage but also for corrosion on the rear chassis legs, around the petrol filler area and the wheel arches.

INTERIOR

Check for sagging door and seat covers. It’ll need a retrim. Seat recline mechanisms are fragile, too. Ensure the speedometer works and it is in ‘mph’. Ignore the erratic fuel indicator.

Also worth knowing...

The most desirable Evo VIs are Tommi Mäkinen Editions in Marlboro red, with prices for the best nudging £50,000. The white ones are special, too, but nowhere near as valuable. Another Evo VI to look out for is the lightweight RS with the Tommi Mäkinen Edition’s quick steering rack but no AYC, air-con or power windows.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI prices 

£7500-£10,495

A mix of private and dealer cars with up to 100,000 miles on the odometer.

£10,500-£12,495

Lower-mileage (circa 60,000) cars with solid histories but also some bullishly priced modified examples with huge power upgrades at around £12,000.

£12,500-£14,450