Photo: M 93, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Thomas doerfer, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Kickaffe (Mario von Berg), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: M 93, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Well-protected compact (5 stars at Euro NCAP in 2009 for the Lancer Sportback), sold in France with 1.5 and 1.8 petrol engines and a 2.0 DI-D diesel of Volkswagen origin. Global production was due to end in August 2017; it had left the French market several years earlier. Versions with a CVT gearbox call for caution: juddering and transmission failures are documented, mostly from North American data.
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €1,200 – €12,000
- Monthly cost
- €368
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 1.5 MIVEC 109 ch, 1.8 MIVEC 143 ch.
1.5 MIVEC 109 ch
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 109 hp · 6.4 L/100 km · Crit'Air 2
1.5 petrol with 109 hp announced at the launch of the Sportback; also exists with a CVT gearbox according to the data sheets.
1.8 MIVEC 143 ch
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Manual · 143 hp · Crit'Air 2
1.8 petrol with 143 hp announced at the launch of the Sportback; also exists with a CVT gearbox according to the data sheets.
2.0 DI-D 140 ch
Diesel · Manual · 140 hp · Crit'Air 3
2.0 DI-D with 140 hp, Volkswagen-sourced engine; manual gearbox, sold from 2009 to 2010 according to the data sheet consulted.
Evolution X 2.0 turbo 295 ch TC-SST
Petrol · Automatic · 295 hp · Crit'Air 2
Lancer Evolution X performance version: 2.0 turbo with 295 hp and 366 Nm, all-wheel drive, 6-speed TC-SST automatic gearbox. Announced fuel consumption around 10.5 l/100 km.
Market prices
€1,200 – €12,000
Indicative range: 2008 to 2017, all mileages, asking prices of online listings (private sellers and dealers, Europe).
Collected on 13 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
CVT gearbox: juddering then failure
Severity 2/3 · CostlyOn Lancers with a CVT gearbox, American sources describe jerking on acceleration, premature wear of the belt and pulleys, then slipping that can go as far as complete gearbox failure. A class action is under way in the United States for 2014-2017 Lancers. These data are North American; they concern the CVT gearbox, which according to the data sheets is offered in France on the 1.5 and 1.8.
- Versions
- 1.5 MIVEC 109 ch, 1.8 MIVEC 143 ch
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Mitsubishi Lancer”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €158 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €119 |
| Maintenance | €25 |
| Depreciation | €66 |
| Total per month | €368 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€158
1.5 MIVEC 109 ch version: combined consumption of 6.4 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
6.4 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €158
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€119
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€25
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€66
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Mitsubishi Lancer VIII — inspection checklist
Things to check
- CVT gearbox: test drive at length, cold and warm, looking for any jerking or juddering on acceleration.
- Have the fault codes read, in particular those relating to the transmission.
- Diesel 2.0 DI-D: ask for the complete service book, as the engine is of Volkswagen origin.
- Evolution X: check the usage history (track use, modifications) and the servicing of the all-wheel drive system.
- Check that the safety equipment (curtain airbags, ESC) is actually fitted on the version you are considering.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the gearbox (CVT or manual) already been repaired or had its oil changed? With which invoices?
- Has the vehicle been serviced at a Mitsubishi network, and at what mileages?
- Is this a version that has been modified or used in competition (Evolution X)?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC0
Subaru Impreza
IV (GP / GJ) · 2012–2017
- Price
- €7,500 – €15,000
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol
Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyota Auris
II · 2012–2018
- Price
- €8,500 – €15,000
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Overlaet, CC BY-SA 3.0
Hyundai i30
II · 2012–2017
- Price
- €6,000 – €11,400
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Mitsubishi Lancer VIII (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
What Euro NCAP rating does the Mitsubishi Lancer have?
5 stars in 2009 for the Lancer Sportback, with 81% for adult protection and 80% for children (Euro NCAP).
What is the boot capacity of the Lancer?
Figures vary by source: 288 litres in the Caradisiac test of the Sportback, 400 litres in the Auto-selection data sheet for the 1.8 CVT. Measure it on the vehicle you are considering.
Is the Lancer still sold in France?
No: when the production end was announced (planned for August 2017), Motor1 stated that it had not been sold in France for several years.
Found a listing?
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