Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI 1999-2002 reliability

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Don't worry, this won't be needing pitstops at the end of each drive...

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Is the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI reliable?

It's mostly good news, certainley better than many highly-strung performance cars of this age, but nevertheless there are still some things to watch out for:

Engine: Make sure it’s been regularly serviced: it needs fresh, fully synthetic oil every 4500 miles, AYC fluid every 9000 miles and spark plugs and a timing belt every 45,000 miles. White smoke on start-up is nothing to worry about, but grey or blue is not good and could be an issue with the turbo or cylinders – and replacements are expensive. Be sure to test a car from cold: ticking noises are normal but should clear when warm. Check the turbo wastegate for rust and the coolant tank for leaks.

Gearbox: A whine from the transmission could be a sign of worn input shafts or worn transfer box. Check all gears on a test drive. Notchy shifts could be worn synchros.

Clutch: The standard one can wear quite quickly so make sure it bites nicely. A typical lifespan is around 40,000 miles.

Body: Japanese imports aren’t undersealed, so the underside is prone to rust. Check underneath for any signs of corrosion and get the car undersealed to protect it from the UK’s salty, wet roads.

Suspension: Just like any car, suspension arms, bushes and springs can all fail. Listen out for any unusual knocks over bumps.

Interior: Make sure the upholstery covering the Recaro seats is in good order.

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An expert's view

Morgan Gibson at Torque GT: “The Evo VI is fairly reliable, particularly in stock form, but the most common issues we see in our workshop include infrequent AYC service, perished rear bushes and worn brakes. A few benefits of importing are being able to find better chassis-condition examples as well as low-mileage cars.

"In regards to it being a good investment, unfortunately it’s not a simple yes or no answer. There are lots of factors to consider, but the TME is definitely the one to have, despite its higher cost. Service and maintenance parts are readily available and there are lots of upgrade options, particularly with suspension.”

Also worth knowing

The TME wasn’t the only special-edition Evo in the late 1990s and early 2000s. There was also the stripped-out RS and RSX, both of which went without the AYC system and anti-lock brakes for an even more hardcore feel. Losing the AYC made these variants more prone to oversteer. If those weren’t radical enough, Mitsubishi went even further with the RS450. Built by Ralliart UK, it packed 438bhp and 412lb ft.

Genuine UK imports by Colt Cars are harder to come by and typically cost a fortune. There’s no harm in buying a later imported car, but check its history and buy from a reputable Japanese domestic market importer.

Sam Phillips

Sam Phillips
Title: Staff Writer

Sam joined the Autocar team in summer 2024 and has been a contributor since 2021. He is tasked with writing used reviews and first drives as well as updating top 10s and evergreen content on the Autocar website. 

He previously led sister-title Move Electric, which covers the entire spectrum of electric vehicles, from cars to boats – and even trucks. He is an expert in new car news, used cars, electric cars, microbility, classic cars and motorsport. 

Sam graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2021 with a BA in Journalism. In his final year he produced an in-depth feature on the automotive industry’s transition to electric cars and interviewed a number of leading experts to assess our readiness for the impending ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars.