Why I Chose A Reconditioned Mitsubishi Lancer Engine After My Original Failed at 85,000 Miles

July 16, 2025

My Mitsubishi Lancer Engine Failed at 85,000 Miles – Why I Didn’t Go for A Used Mitsubishi Lancer Engine

At 85,000 miles, my Mitsubishi Lancer’s engine started making a horrible knocking noise and lost power, leaving me stranded on a busy road. I initially thought a used Mitsubishi Lancer engine would be the cheapest fix, as local breakers’ yards and online sellers had plenty of options at tempting prices. But after speaking to two mechanics with over 20 years of experience each, I learnt that used engines are a risky bet. Many come with no service history, hidden wear like scored cylinders, or issues like cracked blocks that only show up after installation. The idea of spending £1,000 only to face another breakdown in six months was a dealbreaker.

A trusted garage near me explained that used Mitsubishi Lancer engines often come from cars written off in crashes or scrapped due to serious faults like oil starvation. Without a warranty or clear mileage records, I’d be rolling the dice on reliability. One mechanic shared a story of a customer who bought a second-hand Mitsubishi Lancer engine that failed within 3,000 miles, costing more in repairs than a better option would have upfront. That pushed me to explore rebuilt and reconditioned Mitsubishi Lancer engines, which offered documented quality and peace of mind for my daily driving needs.

Reconditioned Mitsubishi Lancer Engine vs. Remanufactured Mitsubishi Lancer Engine: What I Learnt

When I started researching, I kept hearing about reconditioned Mitsubishi Lancer engines and remanufactured Mitsubishi Lancer engines, but the differences weren’t clear at first. A reconditioned engine is stripped down, inspected, and repaired with new or refurbished parts like bearings, gaskets, and timing belts to restore it to good working order, though not always to factory specifications. A remanufactured Mitsubishi Lancer engine, however, is rebuilt to the original manufacturer’s standards using brand-new OEM parts, precision machining, and strict testing to match the performance of a new engine.

I visited an engine supplier who’d been rebuilding Mitsubishi engines for over a decade, and they showed me the process. Remanufactured engines use advanced tools to ensure tolerances are exact, and they’re tested for things like compression and oil pressure to meet Mitsubishi’s specs. They cost more – sometimes £500–£800 more than reconditioned ones – due to the high-grade parts and labour. For my budget, a reconditioned Mitsubishi Lancer engine was the sweet spot, offering reliability at a price I could manage, especially since I needed my car for daily errands and work.

The Replacement Mitsubishi Lancer Engine I Bought Came with A 12-Month Warranty – Here’s What That Means in Practice

Choosing a replacement Mitsubishi Lancer engine, specifically a reconditioned one, came with a 12-month warranty that was a massive relief. This wasn’t just a vague promise – it covered any faults in the engine’s internal parts or issues from the installation process, meaning I wouldn’t be out of pocket if something went wrong. Unlike used Mitsubishi Lancer engines sold “as is” with no guarantees, this warranty showed the supplier stood behind their work, which built trust from the start.

Before handing my car back, the garage ran detailed tests, checking compression across all cylinders, oil pressure, and coolant flow to ensure everything was spot-on. They also gave me a clear run-in schedule, advising me to avoid high revs for the first 1,000 miles and to change the oil after 500 miles to keep the engine in top shape. This level of care, which I never got from reconditioned Mitsubishi Lancer engine sellers, made the Mitsubishi Lancer supplied and fitted process feel professional and dependable.

Why A Rebuilt Mitsubishi Lancer Engine Made More Sense for My Daily Commute

My 40-mile daily commute through city traffic and motorways demanded an engine I could trust not to let me down. A rebuilt Mitsubishi Lancer engine, similar to a reconditioned one, involves replacing or machining key components like pistons, crankshafts, valves, and gaskets, often with upgrades to fix known issues. My supplier provided a detailed report showing compression test results and upgrades like reinforced timing chain guides, which gave me confidence in the engine’s longevity. They also fixed weaknesses in the original 4G18 engine, like poor oil flow to the cylinder head.

Unlike second-hand Mitsubishi Lancer engines, which might have come from a high-mileage taxi or a crash-damaged car, my rebuilt engine had a verified rebuild process. Since fitting it, I’ve noticed smoother gear shifts, no overheating even in stop-start traffic, and a 10% boost in fuel economy – saving me about £15 a month on petrol. The rebuilt Mitsubishi Lancer engine has made my commute reliable and stress-free, proving it was the right choice for my needs.

The Mistake I Almost Made: Why I Nearly Settled for A Used Mitsubishi Lancer Engine Without Doing My Homework

In my panic to get my car running again, I nearly bought a used Mitsubishi Lancer engine from an online ad promising a “low-mileage” unit for just £700. The deal seemed too good to pass up, but when I asked for service records or proof of a bench test, the seller couldn’t provide anything concrete. That raised alarm bells. After digging deeper, I found that many second-hand Mitsubishi Lancer engines come from high-mileage fleet vehicles, flood-damaged cars, or wrecks with undisclosed issues like worn camshafts or sludge buildup.

Online forums were a wake-up call, with owners sharing horror stories of used engines failing soon after installation, often needing extra parts like gaskets, seals, or even new engine mounts. These “hidden” costs could easily add £400–£600 to the bill, making the cheap option far less affordable. By choosing a Mitsubishi Lancer supplied and fitted with a reconditioned engine instead, I avoided a costly mistake and got a reliable, warranted engine that’s kept me on the road without issues.

Living with A Reconditioned Mitsubishi Lancer Engine: Performance, Fuel Economy & Everyday Driving

Three months after fitting my reconditioned Mitsubishi Lancer engine, I’m thrilled with how my car performs. The engine was rebuilt with new piston rings, a timing belt, a water pump, and all major gaskets, addressing the oil leaks and rough idling that plagued my old engine. Acceleration is now crisp, the idle is smooth even in cold weather, and I’ve seen a 12% improvement in fuel economy – saving me around £18 a month based on my 40-mile daily drives. It feels like I’m driving a new car.

The peace of mind is just as valuable. I no longer stress about dashboard warning lights or odd noises on long trips. The Mitsubishi Lancer supplied and fitted with a reconditioned engine came with a detailed service report and a 12-month warranty, which reassures me that I made a smart choice. For anyone facing an engine replacement, my experience shows that a reconditioned Mitsubishi Lancer engine offers the perfect mix of performance, affordability, and reliability.