Mitsubishi

Lancer Evolution X (CZ4A) inspection checklist

2007-2016 · 9 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

All engines

highModified / thrashed / track-abused examples

Look for: More than almost any car in this guide, Evo Xs have been tuned, launched, tracked and drifted. Big-boost tunes stress the 4B11T pistons/ringlands and the SST clutch, while hidden accident/repair history is common on hard-driven cars.

If you find it: Prioritise a documented, unmolested example. Get a marque specialist pre-purchase inspection, compression/leak-down test, an ECU/tune check and an SST health check on MR cars.

Any · Varies (can be a money pit)

highOil consumption / ringland failure (boosted)

Look for: The 4B11T uses oil more freely than the old 4G63 and the factory cast pistons have a documented ringland weakness; a hard-tuned, over-boosted or detonating engine can crack a ringland, dropping compression with blue smoke and heavy oil loss.

If you find it: Monitor oil between services; on a modified car insist on a healthy compression/leak-down test and proper tune. Rebuilds use forged pistons. Walk away from a smoking or low-compression example.

Any (worse on tuned/tracked cars) · ~$8000-15000+ (rebuild with forged pistons)

medium4B11T oil consumption (monitor it)

Look for: Even healthy 4B11T engines use more oil than the old 4G63; a level that drops between services is normal-ish, but rapid loss with blue smoke signals ringland/ring trouble.

If you find it: Check oil regularly, use the correct grade, and investigate any smoke or fast consumption promptly.

Any · Running cost / oil

mediumS-AWC / AYC and driveline service

Look for: The S-AWC system (ACD active centre diff, AYC active yaw) and transfer/diffs rely on correct fluids; neglected or hard-launched cars can develop clunks, AYC pump/warning faults and diff wear.

If you find it: Service ACD/AYC and diff fluids per schedule with the correct specification; investigate any AWC warning lights or driveline clunks.

Any (fluid-dependent) · ~$300-1500

GSR 2.0T (5-speed manual)

highTiming chain stretch / guide wear (early 2007-2009 cars)

Look for: Early 4B11T engines can suffer a stretched timing chain with worn guides and tensioner, causing a rattle on start-up/idle, rough running and (if badly neglected) jumped timing and bent valves. Mitsubishi revised chain components on later builds.

If you find it: Replace timing chain, guides and tensioner as a set; verify it has been done on pre-2009 cars. Address any start-up rattle immediately before it jumps timing.

From 80k-150k km (neglected cars sooner) · ~$1500-3500

mediumClutch wear / failure (launched or modified)

Look for: The manual clutch wears fast under hard launches, drag use or higher-torque tunes; many cars are on their second or third clutch.

If you find it: Replace with an appropriately rated clutch; budget for it on any hard-driven example.

From 40k-100k km on abused cars · ~$1500-3500

MR 2.0T (6-speed TC-SST dual-clutch)

highTC-SST clutch pack wear / slip / shudder

Look for: The Getrag twin-clutch SST clutch packs wear and slip, especially on cars launched repeatedly, driven hard before warm-up, over-boosted/tuned, or run on tired fluid. Symptoms are shudder/judder from a standstill, harsh or hesitant low-speed shifts, slip under load and stored clutch faults.

If you find it: Clutch basket/pack replacement and software relearn by an SST specialist (e.g. AK Racing). Religiously change SST fluid; let it warm before hard driving; avoid excessive torque tunes on a stock SST.

From 60k-120k km (sooner if abused/tuned) · ~$3000-7000

highSST fluid neglect / mechatronic and solenoid faults

Look for: The SST is fluid-sensitive; skipped or wrong fluid causes harsh shifting, limp mode, error codes and damage to the mechatronic valve body, shift forks and solenoids. Repairs are specialist-only - generic transmission shops typically just replace the whole unit.

If you find it: Use only the specified SST fluid at the correct interval; have an SST specialist diagnose. Demand documented SST fluid history before buying an MR.

Any (fluid-interval dependent) · ~$1500-6000

Final Edition 2.0T (5-speed manual, 150 AU units)

mediumClutch wear (hard use)

Look for: As with the GSR, the manual clutch wears under launches and spirited use, though most Final Editions are pampered.

If you find it: Replace with a suitably rated clutch; check clutch condition and originality on purchase.

From 40k-100k km on hard-driven cars · ~$1500-3500

3 minor things (low severity)

lowBrake and tyre wear (heavy AWD performance car)

Look for: Brembo brakes and staggered performance tyres wear quickly under spirited or track use, and rotors warp under heat.

If you find it: Budget for quality pads, rotors and tyres; track users should fit appropriate brake/tyre upgrades.

From 30k+ km · ~$600-2500

lowSuspension bushes and steering wear (age/hard use)

Look for: These cars are now 10-18 years old and frequently hard-driven; control-arm bushes, ball joints, sway-bar links and tie-rod ends wear, giving knocks and vague handling.

If you find it: Refresh worn suspension and steering components; many owners upgrade to performance bushes.

From 100k+ km · ~$400-1500

lowLow-use collector ailments

Look for: Garaged collector cars can suffer flat-spotted tyres, perished rubber/seals, fuel-system gumming, brake corrosion and weak batteries from sitting.

If you find it: Recommission properly - fresh fluids, fuel, tyres and a full inspection; exercise the car regularly.

Any (stored/low-km cars) · ~$200-1500

From FlamingCars' Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution guide. It's a checklist of known problems, not a replacement for a professional pre-purchase inspection. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.