Free printable checklist
What to Look For When Buying a Used Mitsubishi Lancer
What to check on a used Lancer, what a problem looks like, and when to walk away.
Covers
- CJ sedan 2007–2017
- CJ Sportback 2008–2017
Or get a checklist built for the exact Lancer you're looking at:
Last updated
Common Problems on a Used Mitsubishi Lancer
The most commonly reported problems on a used Mitsubishi Lancer are judder, surging or whine from the CVT automatic, and faded or peeling paint on the roof, bonnet and boot. On a Ralliart, check the dual-clutch automatic, and for tunes and hard driving.
Which of these apply depends on the year and engine. Shufti works that out for a particular car from its listing.
CVT Automatic Problems
Many Lancers use a CVT automatic, which uses a belt between two pulleys instead of fixed gears. A worn CVT can judder, surge or whine, and the fluid needs changing on schedule, which owners often skip.
On the test drive, accelerate gently from a stop and then firmly up a hill. Feel for a shudder as you pull away, revs rising without the car speeding up to match, surging at steady speeds, and listen for a whine that grows with speed. Any warning light or the car going into a limp mode is a bad sign.
Ask when the CVT fluid was last changed and whether the gearbox has ever been repaired or replaced, with receipts. A CVT replacement is one of the most expensive repairs on the car, so if it shows any of these signs, walk away or have a specialist check it.
Faded or Peeling Paint
Years of Australian sun break down the clear coat on a car's flat surfaces. On many older Lancers, the roof, bonnet and boot fade, go chalky or start peeling, especially on cars parked outside.
In daylight, look along the roof, bonnet and boot at a low angle for dull, chalky or peeling patches. Darker colours often show it first.
It's cosmetic, but the only proper fix is a respray of each affected panel, which isn't cheap. Price it into your offer.
Rust on Older Cars
Older Lancers can rust, especially the wheel arches, sills and the bottoms of the doors and boot lid. Surface rust is common and fixable, but rust that has eaten through the metal weakens the body, and once it starts it spreads.
Check the wheel arches, sills, door bottoms and boot lid in daylight, and run your fingers along the inside lip of each wheel arch for bubbling or flaking. Underneath, look at the floor and around the suspension mounts, and be wary of fresh black coating in one spot, which can hide rust or repairs.
Small spots of surface rust are worth a little off the price. Rust holes, or rust near the suspension mounts or sills, mean expensive repairs, so have a mechanic check it or walk away.
Low-Speed Judder from the Dual-Clutch Automatic (DCT)
Some Lancers have a dual-clutch automatic (DCT), which works like two manual gearboxes with computer-controlled clutches. On the Lancer, it's fitted to the Ralliart. It's quick and efficient once moving, but at walking pace the clutches have to slip, and as they wear or overheat in stop-start traffic, take-offs turn juddery and hesitant.
Test it where it struggles: crawl in traffic, pull away gently from a stop, and reverse up a slope or driveway. Shuddering, hesitation before it moves, jerky changes in low gears or a warning on the dash are all signs of trouble. A slight hesitation that's smooth once moving is normal for this kind of gearbox.
Ask whether the DCT has had any repairs or software updates, with receipts. Clutch or control-unit repairs are expensive, so if it judders, have a mechanic check it or price the repair into your offer.
Which Mitsubishi Lancer Years to Avoid?
No Mitsubishi Lancer year is one to avoid outright. Which problems a particular car has depends on its generation, its engine and how it was used, so judge the one in front of you rather than the year alone, starting with its recalls and reported faults (Shufti looks these up from the listing).
- CJ sedan (2007–2017). Most have done enough kilometres for wear items to come due: check the service history for regular servicing, and whether tyres, brakes and the battery need replacing.
- CJ Sportback (2008–2017). Most have done enough kilometres for wear items to come due: check the service history for regular servicing, and whether tyres, brakes and the battery need replacing.
Which recalls and reported faults apply depends on the exact year and engine. Shufti works them out for the Lancer you're looking at, from its listing.
Mitsubishi Lancer Inspection Checklist
Tick it if it's fine. Cross it if it isn't, and note what you found so you can price it into your offer.
- Safety critical
- Affects how safely it drives or protects you in a crash. Best to have a mechanic check it before you buy.
- Negotiate
- Costs money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Get a quote and take it off the price.
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Before You Go
01
Exterior
02
Under the Bonnet
03
Underbody and Wheels
04
Interior and Electrics
05
Test Drive
06
Documentation
Stay Safe
Never go under a car held up only by a jack, and never open the radiator or coolant cap on a hot engine. Keep hands, hair and loose clothing clear of fans and belts when the engine is running, and do checks under the bonnet with it switched off where you can. On the test drive, hold a current licence, confirm the car is registered and insured, obey road rules, and only brake hard when the road behind is clear. Meet in a safe, public-facing place, take someone with you, and don't carry large amounts of cash to a viewing.
Take this checklist to the viewing.
Download the free PDFOr let Shufti tailor it to the car from the listing link, with PPSR and recall checks included.
Disclaimer. Shufti is not affiliated with or endorsed by Mitsubishi; Mitsubishi, Lancer and Ralliart are trademarks of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. Figures are counts from Shufti's analysis of official records and published reports, not a statement that any particular vehicle is affected. This checklist is general information only and is not professional, mechanical, legal or financial advice. It covers common checks, not every possible fault, and a car can pass every item here and still have problems. It is not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic, which is worth considering before you buy, especially if anything tagged Safety critical turns up. Repair costs vary widely; get your own quotes. Roadworthy, registration and transfer rules differ by state, so check with your state road authority. Private sales generally don't come with the consumer guarantees that apply when you buy from a dealer. You use this checklist at your own risk and, to the extent permitted by law, Shufti accepts no liability for any loss, damage or injury arising from its use.
What This Guide Can't Tell You About the Lancer You're Looking At
8+
recalls on Lancers built since 2007
12
common faults reported on Lancers built since 2007
575
owner complaints on Lancers built since 2008
Money owing, stolen or a write-off?
A tidy car can hide all three.
What's each fault worth?
Shufti's negotiation coach turns it into leverage.
A Shufti inspection covers all of that, plus:
- Guided checks for the exact car you're inspecting
- PPSR and government recall checks included
- Crosschecks 3M+ recalls and owner complaints
- Spots issues from your photos and audio
- Test drive routes with turn-by-turn navigation
- Negotiation coach with repair cost estimates
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Start from the listing
Drop in a link from any major car sales website. Shufti retrieves the important information about your vehicle to guide you through a customised buying process.
Start from the listing
Drop in a link from any major car sales website. Shufti retrieves the important information about your vehicle to guide you through a customised buying process.
* Shufti analysis, October 2026, of official recall notices, complaints lodged by vehicle owners with vehicle safety regulators, and independent reviews and owner forums. Faults are counted when two or more independent sources report them.
Buying a Used Mitsubishi Lancer: Questions Answered
Is a used Mitsubishi Lancer reliable?
It depends more on the particular car than the badge: how it was driven, loaded and serviced. Work through the commonly reported problems above, read the service history for servicing done on time, and run a PPSR check.
Which Mitsubishi Lancer years should I avoid?
No Mitsubishi Lancer year is one to avoid outright. Which problems a particular car has depends on its generation, its engine and how it was used, so judge the one in front of you rather than the year alone, starting with its recalls and reported faults (Shufti looks these up from the listing).
This checklist covers the CJ sedan (2007–2017) and CJ Sportback (2008–2017) Mitsubishi Lancer. Problems reported across them include CVT automatic judder, faded or peeling paint and rust on older cars.
How many kilometres is too many for a used Mitsubishi Lancer?
Kilometres matter less than how the car was driven and serviced. A high-kilometre car with a full service history can be a better buy than a low-kilometre one that's missed services or spent years on short trips. Check the history for regular oil changes, and find out whether any timing belt replacement is due, as it's a costly job.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a used Mitsubishi Lancer?
It's worth it if you can. A mechanic can spot hidden crash repairs and gearbox problems that are easy to miss on a short test drive. Most buyers don't book one, though, so whatever you decide, check the car thoroughly yourself with this checklist first. See Is a pre-purchase inspection worth it?
How do I check a used Mitsubishi Lancer for money owing or a write-off?
Run a PPSR check with the car's VIN. It shows whether there's finance owing and whether the car has been reported stolen or written off, and costs $2. Run it on the day you pay. See What a PPSR check covers and what it doesn't
Mechanic, Checklist or Shufti?
Here's how Shufti stacks up against your other options.
A mechanic's inspection is the most thorough, but most buyers go without one. Shufti makes sure you're well informed either way.
| Feature | Shufti $24.99 per check | Mechanic Inspection $250–350+ per booking | This Guide Free the basics, on paper |
|---|---|---|---|
Guided, model-specific checks | Yes | Yes | No |
PPSR and government recall checks | Yes | No | No |
Crosschecks over 3 million recalls and owner complaints | Yes | No | No |
Smart detection of issues from your photos and audio | Yes | No | No |
Test drive route planning and navigation | Yes | No | No |
Instant report generation | Yes | No | No |
Negotiation copilot and repair cost estimates | Yes | No | No |
Plain-English explanations, not jargon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
No booking or waiting required | Yes | No | Yes |
See it for yourself. Open the free sample report in the app, no sign-up needed.
Comparing Other Cars?
Looking at a different car? Use the general used car inspection checklist or browse every inspection checklist.