The Galant VR-4 and its estate twin, the Legnum VR-4, are the quiet ones in Mitsubishi's performance line-up. They look like sensible family cars, but under the bonnet sits a twin-turbo V6 driving all four wheels. They are still fairly cheap in Japan, they are right-hand drive, and getting one onto UK roads is straightforward.
- Body
- Four-door saloon or five-door estate
- Shipping from Japan
- From £3,575, shipping only
- Typical journey
- About 5 to 8 weeks
- Test
- MOT, no IVA needed
Saloon or estate
The Galant is the saloon and the Legnum is the estate. In VR-4 form both use the same 2.5 litre 6A13 V6 with two turbochargers, the same four-wheel drive and a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes. Pick the body that suits you, then pick the best car you can find.
| Feature | Galant VR-4 saloon | Legnum VR-4 estate |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.5 litre twin-turbo V6 | 2.5 litre twin-turbo V6 |
| In brief | The lighter, sportier looking one | The practical one, with a big boot and the same pace |
| UK test | MOT | MOT |
| Tax today | 10% duty + 20% VAT for most cars, 5% VAT once over 30 | The same, it goes by build date |
One thing to watch when searching: there was also an earlier Galant VR-4 from the late 1980s and early 1990s, which used a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It is a different car. This guide is about the later V6 cars.
The twin-turbo V6
The 6A13 is smooth and strong, but it is packed tightly into the engine bay, with one turbo tucked away at the back. That makes jobs like the cam belt, turbo work and oil leak repairs slower and dearer in labour than on a simpler car. A car with a recent belt change and receipts to prove it is worth paying more for.
Many of these cars have been tuned in Japan. Mild changes are fine, but more boost puts strain on the gearbox, and the automatic in particular does not like a lot of extra power. Ask what has been done and look for paperwork.
Manual or automatic
Manual cars are the ones enthusiasts hunt for and they tend to cost more. Automatics are more common and make relaxed long-distance cars, especially as an estate. Whichever you choose, make sure the gearbox shifts cleanly and the four-wheel drive feels right on a test drive or in the inspection report.
What to check before you buy
Before you pay a deposit
0 of 8 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 Galant or Legnum VR-4 needs an IVA test. Each one takes an MOT instead, and the speedometer does not have to be converted to mph.
| Age of the car | What it needs |
|---|---|
| 10 to 40 years | An MOT, with a rear fog light if one is not fitted |
Every one of these cars falls in that row, so they all need a yearly MOT.
Import tax
The V6 cars were launched in 1996, so they are only now reaching 30. A car 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. Almost every car on sale today is younger than that, and 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.
The 30-year line moves forward a month at a time, so an early car may be worth waiting for. The import tax calculator runs your own numbers, and our cost of importing from Japan guide works through a full example.
Shipping a Galant or Legnum
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. That matters with an estate, as it is tempting to fill the boot. If you are bringing 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
Because these cars are right-hand drive, the list is short. They need 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 sharper from the same maker? Our Lancer Evolution guide and GTO guide cover them.
Insurance
A twin-turbo, four-wheel drive car with around 280 horsepower is not cheap to insure, even when it looks like a family saloon. Specialist insurers know these cars, and some offer agreed values and mileage-limited policies. Tell the insurer about every modification. Our guide to insuring a Japanese import explains what they ask for.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between the Galant VR-4 and the Legnum VR-4?
The Galant is the saloon and the Legnum is the estate. In VR-4 form they share the 2.5 litre twin-turbo V6 and four-wheel drive.
Does an imported Galant VR-4 need an IVA test?
No. Every one 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 needed.
How much tax will I pay?
Most cars pay 10% duty and 20% VAT on the price plus shipping. A car built before October 1996 is over 30 and normally pays 5% VAT and no duty.
What goes wrong on the V6 VR-4?
Check the cam belt history, oil leaks around the turbos and the gearbox, especially automatics on tuned cars. Look for rust in the sills and rear arches too.
How long does it take to ship one 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 a Galant or Legnum you like? Send us the listing or auction lot on the quote form and we will price the shipping, customs, MOT and registration.
