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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV CN9A

Sources conflict All cars eligible

Production start
August 1996
Production end
December 1997
First cars US-eligible (25 yr)
August 2021
Last cars US-eligible
December 2022
Source: ImportWindow (Mitsubishi recall record). Wikipedia: Aug 1996 – Jan 1998. https://importwindow.com/vehicle/mitsubishi-evo-iv/

NHTSA: the 25-year period "runs from the date of the vehicle's manufacture" (49 U.S.C. 30112(b)(9); 49 CFR 591.5(i)). Most plates show month/year only; we treat a build month as fully clear from the last day of that month 25 years later. Go by the build plate.

Build month → eligible month

BuiltTurns 25Status (October 2026)
Aug 1996Aug 2021Eligible
Sep 1996Sep 2021Eligible
Oct 1996Oct 2021Eligible
Nov 1996Nov 2021Eligible
Dec 1996Dec 2021Eligible
Jan 1997Jan 2022Eligible
Feb 1997Feb 2022Eligible
Mar 1997Mar 2022Eligible
Apr 1997Apr 2022Eligible
May 1997May 2022Eligible
Jun 1997Jun 2022Eligible
Jul 1997Jul 2022Eligible
Aug 1997Aug 2022Eligible
Sep 1997Sep 2022Eligible
Oct 1997Oct 2022Eligible
Nov 1997Nov 2022Eligible
Dec 1997Dec 2022Eligible

FAQ

When can I import a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV (CN9A) to the US?

Under NHTSA's 25-year exemption (49 U.S.C. 30112(b)(9)), eligibility runs from the vehicle's date of manufacture. For this model, production started August 1996, so the earliest cars become eligible in August 2021. Production ended December 1997, so the last cars become eligible in December 2022. Always check the build plate on the specific car.

Is the CN9A eligible under the 25-year rule right now?

Status as of 2026-10-19: All cars eligible. The 25-year period runs from the manufacture date, not the model year. A car built late in the production run may still be waiting.

Does EPA also apply to a CN9A import?

Yes. EPA's Form 3520-1 Code E covers vehicles at least 21 years old (calendar year of manufacture subtracted from year of importation) in original unmodified configuration. DOT and EPA are separate tests; you need both.

How much does it cost to import a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV?

Costs vary by auction price, shipping and duty. Use our CN9A landed-cost calculator for an editable estimate. Typical overhead beyond the car is often a few thousand dollars (see our import-cost guide).

Where to buy parts

Platform specialists
  • MAPerformance · Turbo performance parts, incl. Evo and WRX/STI
  • RHDJapan · Ships from Japan: Nismo, Mugen, Spoon, Tomei, HKS, Cusco and OEM parts
  • Megazip · Genuine OEM Japanese parts by catalog and part number
  • Nengun Performance · Ships from Japan: HKS, Nismo, Greddy, Blitz, RAYS and more. Also offers a Yahoo Japan Auctions service
  • Japamart · Japan proxy buying (Yahoo Auctions, Mercari), useful for discontinued OEM and used tuner parts
General retailers & Japan proxies
  • Summit Racing · Large US performance retailer (fluids, tools, universal parts)
  • CARiD · Large US online retailer of aftermarket and replacement parts and accessories
  • Amazon (Automotive) · Fluids, filters, tools and universal accessories
  • eBay Motors Parts · Used and NOS JDM parts from US and Japan sellers
  • ZenMarket · Japan proxy for Yahoo Auctions and Japanese stores
  • Buyee · Japan proxy for Yahoo Auctions and Mercari

Independent retailers picked by what they publicly stock. Check fitment for your chassis. Some links are affiliate links; see our affiliate disclosure.

Estimate landed cost

Open the calculator → · How to import step by step → · Find an exporter →

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