The Mitsubishi GTO was Japan's answer to the big grand tourer, and it threw everything at the job. The twin-turbo VR-4 had four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering and moving aerodynamics at a time when most sports cars had none of them. Outside Japan it was sold as the 3000GT, and in the UK it wore that name too. A Japanese GTO is the same car, often with more choice and lower prices, and it is easy to bring here.
- Built
- 1990 to 2000
- Shipping from Japan
- From £3,575, shipping only
- Typical journey
- About 5 to 8 weeks
- Test
- MOT, no IVA needed
Twin turbo or non-turbo
Every GTO uses a 3.0 litre V6. The one most people want is the VR-4, with two turbochargers and all the clever hardware. Non-turbo versions were sold too, with front-wheel drive and far less to go wrong. All of them are right-hand drive in Japanese form.
| Feature | VR-4 twin turbo | Non-turbo |
|---|---|---|
| Drive | Four-wheel drive with four-wheel steering | Front-wheel drive |
| In brief | The fast one, with active aero and plenty of electronics | Simpler and cheaper to run, still the same big shape |
| 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 |
Early cars have pop-up headlights. A facelift in the mid-1990s swapped them for fixed lights, and later cars had further styling changes. Which you prefer is a matter of taste, but the build date matters more than the look, as it decides the tax.
The clever bits
The VR-4's party pieces are also its weak points on a car this age. The front spoiler and rear wing move with speed, the rear wheels steer a little, and some cars have electronically adjusted suspension. When they work, they are part of the charm. When they do not, parts and know-how can take some finding.
The twin-turbo V6 sits sideways in a tight engine bay, so jobs like the cam belt and the rear turbo take time and cost more in labour than you might expect. A car with a recent belt change and receipts for it is worth paying a little more for.
Check every system works
Ask the seller or an inspector to confirm that the aero moves, the warning lights go out and the four-wheel drive feels right. A dashboard light that stays on can mean an expensive part or a simple fault, and you want to know which before you pay.
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 GTO needs an IVA test. Each one takes an MOT instead, and the speedometer does not have to be converted to mph.
| Age of the GTO | What it needs |
|---|---|
| 10 to 40 years | An MOT, with a rear fog light if one is not fitted |
Every GTO falls in that row. Even the first cars from 1990 are a few years short of 40, so they all need a yearly MOT for now.
Import tax
The GTO sits right across the 30-year line, so the tax depends on when your car was built. A GTO 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 a GTO
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
Because the GTO is right-hand drive, 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. Fancy something smaller from the same maker? Our Lancer Evolution guide covers it.
Insurance
A twin-turbo coupe with four-wheel drive is not a cheap car to insure, but an older GTO 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
Is the Mitsubishi GTO the same as the 3000GT?
Yes. GTO was the name in Japan, and 3000GT was the name used in export markets, including the UK. A Japanese GTO follows the normal import route from Japan.
Does an imported GTO need an IVA test?
No. Every GTO 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 a GTO?
A GTO 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.
What should I check on a VR-4?
That the active aero moves, the four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering work with no warning lights, and that the cam belt has been changed with receipts to prove it.
How long does it take to ship a GTO 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 GTO you like? Send us the listing or auction lot on the quote form and we will price the shipping, customs, MOT and registration.
