Rally-bred legend from budget runabout to icon
The Mitsubishi Lancer is a compact saloon and hatchback that trades heavily on Mitsubishi's WRC rally heritage, particularly through the legendary Evolution variants. Standard models appeal to budget-conscious buyers wanting Japanese reliability, while the Evo versions became cult performance icons rivalling the Subaru Impreza STI. Production ended in 2017, and values on Evos have risen sharply as modern classics.
We track 9 known issues across the Mitsubishi Lancer range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Mitsubishi Lancer? Enter the reg to see which of our 9 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
CY (2007–2017) — Petrol options included the 1.5 MIVEC, 1.6 MIVEC, 1.8 MIVEC, with 1.8 DI-D on the diesel side.
Evo X (2008–2016) — Engine options included the 2.0 Turbo. Our database flags 3 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is SST gearbox issues.
The SST (Sports Shift Transmission) is Mitsubishi's twin-clutch automated manual gearbox fitted to all UK Evo X models. The clutch packs wear rapidly under enthusiastic driving and the hydraulic control system is prone to valve body failures. Early symptoms include juddering during gear changes and delayed engagement. Complete failure leaves the car undriveable and repair costs routinely exceed the vehicle's value. This is the primary reliability concern for Evo X ownership and should be thoroughly assessed before purchase.
Complete SST failure renders the car undriveable. Clutch pack replacement requires transmission removal and costs £4,000-£6,000 including labour. Valve body failures add another £1,000-£2,000. Many owners elect to break the car for parts rather than repair the transmission.
Test the automatic gearbox extensively in slow traffic, car parks and on hill starts. Feel for any juddering, hesitation or clunking during gear changes. Try repeated low-speed manoeuvres as this is where problems are most apparent.
The IHI turbocharger on the 4B11T engine is prone to bearing failure and compressor wheel damage, particularly on cars that have been modified or driven hard. Oil starvation during rapid deceleration from high RPM is a known cause. Symptoms progress from loss of boost pressure to complete turbo seizure with metal debris entering the intake system. Replacement with OEM units is expensive but aftermarket options are readily available.
Complete turbo failure can send metal debris into the engine internals, requiring additional repairs beyond turbo replacement. A seized turbo may also damage the exhaust manifold. Total repair costs including fitting range from £1,500-£3,000 depending on additional damage.
During a test drive, check for hesitation, lack of power or unusual whining from the turbo area. Watch for blue or white smoke from the exhaust under hard acceleration. Check the oil condition and service history — turbos rely on clean oil.
The AYC (Active Yaw Control) transfer case distributes torque between the rear wheels and is integral to the Evo's handling characteristics. The unit contains complex hydraulic valving and clutch packs that wear with age and mileage. Failure symptoms include loss of rear differential lock, unusual handling characteristics, and grinding noises from the rear of the car. The transfer case shares fluid with the rear differential and requires specialist knowledge to diagnose correctly.
AYC failure significantly affects the car's handling and may compromise safety during enthusiastic driving. Complete transfer case replacement is the only reliable fix. The car remains driveable but loses its characteristic handling balance and may develop expensive secondary failures if driven hard.
Listen for whining or grinding from the transfer case area, especially when switching between drive modes. Check for fluid leaks underneath. On 4WD models, test all drive modes during the test drive, including low range if applicable.
The CJ/CY Lancer suffers from premature failure of suspension bushes, particularly the front lower arm bushes and rear trailing arm bushes. MOT data shows this model failing at 372.9x the fleet average for suspension component fractures, with failures occurring across all mileage bands including very low mileage examples. The rubber compound used appears unsuited to UK conditions, leading to splitting and separation that affects handling and safety.
Failed suspension bushes compromise vehicle handling and can lead to dangerous loss of directional stability. Worn bushes cause rapid and uneven tyre wear. In extreme cases, suspension components may detach from the subframe, creating an immediate safety hazard.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The 1.8 DI-D engine suffers from DPF (diesel particulate filter) blockage and excessive smoke emission, with MOT data showing failures at Short journey driving prevents proper DPF regeneration cycles, leading to progressive blockage. The forced regeneration process often fails to clear severe blockages, requiring expensive filter replacement or professional cleaning.
A completely blocked DPF causes the engine to enter limp mode and may prevent starting. Professional DPF cleaning costs £200-£400 while replacement costs £800-£1,500. Continued driving with a blocked DPF can damage the turbocharger and EGR valve.
Ask about the car's typical usage — short urban journeys prevent DPF regeneration. Check for DPF warning lights and ask about any previous regeneration issues. A forced regeneration at a garage costs far less than a DPF replacement.
For the full breakdown of all 9 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Mitsubishi Lancer common problems page.
Based on 65k real DVSA MOT tests, the Mitsubishi Lancer fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is emissions failure at 469x the fleet average, followed by anti-roll bar links worn (373x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Mitsubishi Lancer MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 9k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Mitsubishi Lancer service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Mitsubishi Lancer has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. The 2007 model year received the fewest complaints overall and is very solid even at high mileage. 2010 and 2013 are also safe choices. For Evos, the VI (1999) and IX (2005) are the most celebrated generations.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Mitsubishi Lancer, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 9 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 9 known Mitsubishi Lancer issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.