The Mitsubishi FTO is a small front-wheel drive coupe with a V6 under the bonnet, which was an unusual mix in the mid-1990s and still is. It won Japan's Car of the Year award when it was new, and plenty came to the UK as used imports. Prices are still sensible, the earliest cars are now old enough for the 5% VAT rate, and it is a straightforward car to bring over from Japan.
- Built
- 1994 to 2000
- Shipping from Japan
- From £3,575, shipping only
- Typical journey
- About 5 to 8 weeks
- Test
- MOT, no IVA needed
Which FTO to look for
Entry cars used a 1.8 litre V6, and the rest a 2.0 litre V6. The one most people hunt for is the 2.0 with MIVEC, Mitsubishi's variable valve timing, which wakes up at high revs and gives the FTO its character. Badges and trim names vary by year, so check the engine on the auction sheet or export certificate rather than relying on the boot lid.
| Feature | 2.0 V6 MIVEC | 1.8 or 2.0 V6 without MIVEC |
|---|---|---|
| In brief | The keen driver's choice, revs hard and sounds great | Softer and cheaper to buy, fine as a relaxed cruiser |
| Gearbox | Manual or INVECS-II auto | Manual or INVECS-II auto |
| UK test | MOT | MOT |
| Tax today | 5% VAT on cars built before October 1996, otherwise 10% duty + 20% VAT | The same, it goes by build date |
The FTO was facelifted part way through its life, with changes to the front end and trim. Early and late cars both have fans, but for import tax the build date is what counts, not the look.
Manual or INVECS-II auto
A lot of Japanese FTOs have the INVECS-II automatic. It learns how you drive and has a manual mode where you nudge the lever to change gear, which was clever for the time. It suits the car better than you might think, but it needs clean fluid and smooth shifts. A box that flares, thumps or hesitates when cold is worth walking away from unless the price allows for a repair.
Manual cars are the more sought-after choice and tend to cost more. Check the clutch bites sensibly and the gears go in without crunching, especially second and third.
The V6 and its cam belt
Both V6 engines are belt driven, and the belt sits in a tight engine bay across the front of the car. Ask for proof of when it was last changed. If there is none, budget for a belt and water pump soon after the car lands. Listen for the MIVEC changeover too: on a healthy car you feel a clear step in pull high up the rev range.
Rust
The FTO is a steel-bodied car from the 1990s and rust is the thing that kills them. Look hard at the rear arches, sills, jacking points and under the boot floor, and check the front subframe area underneath. Japanese cars are often better than UK ones, but not always, so get underside photos before you commit.
What to check before you buy
Before you pay a deposit
0 of 9 done
Our guide to Japanese auction grades explains how to read the sheet, and the Japanese import checklist covers the general checks. If you are buying unseen, read our guide to buying a car abroad safely too.
The test depends on age
GOV.UK exempts cars over 10 years old from vehicle approval, so no FTO needs an IVA test. Each one takes an MOT instead, and the speedometer does not have to be converted to mph.
| Age of the FTO | What it needs |
|---|---|
| 10 to 40 years | An MOT, with a rear fog light if one is not fitted |
Every FTO falls in that row. Even the first cars from 1994 are well short of 40, so they all need a yearly MOT.
Import tax
The FTO straddles the 30-year line, so the tax depends on when your car was built. An FTO built before October 1996 is over 30 years old and normally pays 5% VAT and no duty, worked out on the price plus the shipping. A later one pays 10% import duty and 20% import VAT, with the VAT charged on top of the duty.
The 5% rate is for cars in their original state. HMRC can refuse it on a car that has been heavily modified, such as an engine swap or big changes to the body. Repairs and restoration are fine. Our guide to the historic vehicle 5% VAT rules explains where the line sits.
Looking at a car built in late 1996 or 1997? Waiting until it passes 30 can cut the tax bill a lot. The import tax calculator runs your own numbers, and our cost of importing from Japan guide works through a full example.
Shipping an FTO
From Japan, RoRo is the usual route and costs less than a container. The car has to run and drive, and it should be empty, with no spare parts or belongings inside. If you are bringing a box of spares, or the car does not run, a container is the answer.
As a guide, built from a year of real jobs, shipping from Japan starts from £3,575, shipping only. Door to door, the journey is usually about 5 to 8 weeks. Sending us the Japanese export certificate before the car ships lets us check its details early.
UK changes
The FTO is right-hand drive, so the list is short. It needs a rear fog light in the right position if one is not fitted. Japanese cars are no longer checked for headlight compliance, which keeps the work down.
We do the changes and the MOT on our own site in Castle Donington, and our dealer-level DVLA account lets us register the car within 10 working days. For the wider route, see our guide to importing a car from Japan. Want something bigger from the same maker? Our GTO guide covers the twin-turbo grand tourer, and the Honda Prelude guide covers a close rival.
Insurance
A small V6 coupe is not too bad to insure, and an older FTO can often go on a classic policy, sometimes with a mileage limit. Tell the insurer about every modification and keep the receipts. Our guide to insuring a Japanese import explains what they ask for.
Questions people ask
Does an imported FTO need an IVA test?
No. Every FTO is well over 10 years old, so it is exempt from vehicle approval and takes an MOT instead, after a rear fog light is fitted if it does not have one.
How much tax will I pay on an FTO?
An FTO built before October 1996 normally pays 5% VAT and no duty. A later one pays 10% duty and 20% VAT on the price plus shipping.
Is the INVECS-II automatic worth having?
It can be, as long as it shifts smoothly hot and cold and the fluid is clean. Manual cars are more sought after and usually cost more.
Where do FTOs rust?
Mainly the rear arches, sills, jacking points and boot floor. Ask for underside photos before you buy.
How long does it take to ship an FTO from Japan?
Usually about 5 to 8 weeks door to door, plus the time for UK customs, the rear fog light, the MOT and registration.
Found an FTO you like? Send us the listing or auction lot on the quote form and we will price the shipping, customs, MOT and registration.
