The Lancer Evolution is a rally car for the road, and that is both the appeal and the worry. Many Evos have been driven hard, tuned harder, and some have been stolen and rebuilt along the way. Buy with your eyes open and it is one of the most rewarding imports there is. Every Evo is now old enough to skip the IVA test, and the earliest are past the 30-year line for tax.
- Built
- 1992 to 2016, ten generations
- Engine
- 2.0 turbo, 4G63 (Evo I to IX) or 4B11 (Evo X)
- Shipping from Japan
- From £3,575, shipping only
- Tax
- 20% VAT + 10% duty, or 5% VAT over 30 years
Which generation
| Feature | Evo I to III | Evo IV to VI | Evo VII to IX | Evo X |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built | 1992 to 1996 | 1996 to 2001 | 2001 to 2007 | 2007 to 2016 |
| Sold new | Japan only | Japan, with a few brought to the UK by Ralliart | The first Evos sold officially in the UK | Sold officially in the UK from 2008 |
| Tax today | Reduced classic rate | Standard rate, except the very earliest Evo IVs | Standard rate | Standard rate |
The first Evolution arrived in 1992, built on the Lancer saloon with a turbocharged 2.0 litre engine and four-wheel drive. Evo I to III were Japanese-market cars, which is why Europe got the Carisma GT instead.
The Evo IV brought a new body and Active Yaw Control on the GSR, a system that shuffles power between the rear wheels to help the car turn. The Evo VI was followed by the Tommi Mäkinen edition, named after the four-times world rally champion, and it is one of the most wanted Evos of all.
Evo VII to IX moved to a bigger Lancer body and were the first sold through UK dealers. The Evo X swapped the long-serving 4G63 for the 4B11 engine and offered a twin-clutch automatic, SST, alongside the manual. Production ended in April 2016.
RS or GSR
Most generations came in two flavours. The GSR is the road car, with the creature comforts and, from Evo IV, Active Yaw Control. The RS is a stripped-out base car meant for competition, with fewer driver aids and less equipment.
An RS can make a fine track car, but a lot of them have lived hard lives. If you want a road car, a GSR is usually the better buy. Make sure you know which one you are looking at, as the auction sheet will say.
What to check before you buy
Before you pay a deposit
0 of 8 done
A cheap Evo is rarely a bargain. The difference between a good one and a money pit is usually in the history and the receipts. Our guides to buying a car abroad safely and the Japanese import checklist cover the general checks.
Modified cars
Plenty of Evos have bigger turbos, remaps and uprated suspension. Done properly, with good parts, that can be a plus. Done on a budget, it shortens the life of the engine and drivetrain. Japanese auctions often grade heavily modified cars lower, so read the notes rather than the number alone. Our guide to Japanese auction grades explains the codes.
Where to find one
- Japanese auctions, with an independent inspection and a translated auction sheet
- Specialist exporters in Japan
- UK specialist dealers, if you would rather see it first
Shipping and tax
An Evo from Japan usually travels by RoRo, which costs less than a container, or in a container if you would rather it was sealed away for the voyage. Door to door, it is usually about 5 to 8 weeks. As a guide, shipping from Japan starts from £3,575, shipping only.
A car under 30 years old pays 20% VAT and 10% duty on the price plus shipping. A car over 30 years old pays 5% VAT and no duty. As of October 2026, every Evo I, II and III is past that mark, and the very first Evo IVs, built in the second half of 1996, are right on the line. Everything later pays the standard rate for now.
Our worked tax examples show the sums, and the import tax calculator will run your own.
Looking at an early Evo IV? The 30-year line is judged on the car's own build date, so a few weeks can change the tax bill. Send us the details and we will check it before you buy.
Getting it road legal
The last Evo X was built in 2016, so every Evo is now over 10 years old and none needs vehicle approval. Each one takes an MOT instead.
A Japanese-market Evo usually needs a correctly positioned rear fog light. Many owners also have the speedometer changed from kilometres, though on a car this age it is not required for registration. Japanese cars are no longer checked for headlight compliance, which keeps the work down.
The paperwork and the DVLA record have to match the car, so the chassis number and model details on your export certificate need to agree with what is on the car. Our guide to the Japanese export certificate explains what it shows.
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 full route, see our guide to importing a car from Japan.
Insurance and security
Evos have long been a target for thieves, and insurers know it. Expect to be asked about where the car is kept, any tracker and every modification. Get a quote before you buy. Our guide to insuring a Japanese import explains what they ask for.
Questions people ask
Does an imported Lancer Evolution need an IVA test?
No. Production ended in 2016, so every Evo is over 10 years old. It takes an MOT instead, usually after a rear fog light is fitted.
Which Evos qualify for the reduced import tax?
Cars over 30 years old pay 5% VAT and no duty. As of October 2026 that covers every Evo I to III, and possibly the very earliest Evo IVs depending on build date. Later cars pay 20% VAT and 10% duty.
What is the difference between an RS and a GSR?
The GSR is the road version, with more equipment and, from Evo IV, Active Yaw Control. The RS is a lighter, stripped-out base car aimed at competition.
Can I import an Evo X?
Yes. It pays the standard import tax, 20% VAT and 10% duty, and as it is over 10 years old it takes an MOT rather than an IVA test.
How long does it take to ship an Evo from Japan?
Usually about 5 to 8 weeks door to door, plus the time for UK customs, any changes, the MOT and registration.
Got your eye on an Evo? Send it to us on the quote form and we will price the shipping, customs, MOT and registration.
