Was This Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution Worth Every Penny?

This Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution auction result involved one of the more extraordinary cars we’ve watched go under the hammer recently.

At first glance, you could be forgiven for seeing a particularly aggressive-looking 1990s Mitsubishi 4×4.

But the Pajero Evolution is something rather more special than that.

This is a genuine homologation model, built so Mitsubishi could take on the Paris-Dakar Rally – and the example that appeared at Anglia Car Auctions had some serious long-distance rally experience of its own.

It was also offered with no reserve.

So when the bidding started, it was selling from the very first bid.

This is no ordinary Pajero

Mitsubishi built just 2,500 Pajero Evolutions to homologate the model for competition.

And they certainly didn’t just fit a few badges and call it a day.

Under the bonnet sits a 3.5-litre MIVEC V6 producing around 275bhp, coupled to a Tiptronic automatic transmission.

Then there’s the body.

Those enormous wheelarches, bonnet scoops, widened stance and wonderfully over-the-top styling make a normal Pajero look positively restrained by comparison.

Inside, Mitsubishi fitted Recaro seats and air conditioning.

It was a serious piece of machinery created for a serious purpose.

And this one has actually been rallying

The story gets even better with this particular 1997 example.

According to Anglia Car Auctions, it has competed on long-distance rallies in both South America and South Africa.

As a result, it has gained some suitably purposeful equipment over the years.

There’s a full roll cage with side bars, race harnesses and a Brantz trip meter.

An additional fuel tank has also been fitted, giving the Pajero a claimed range of up to 700km.

So while plenty of homologation specials spend their later lives being polished and taken to shows, this one has actually been out having adventures.

A full engine rebuild in the history

The Mitsubishi was imported into the UK in 1999 and had been with its vendor since 2013.

Its odometer showed 159,515 kilometres, equivalent to approximately 99,000 miles.

More importantly, there’s a substantial history file documenting its maintenance.

Among the paperwork is a receipt for a full engine rebuild in 2017, which included a new crankshaft.

The vendor described the Pajero as “fully maintained and ready to go again”.

Its MoT is valid until June 2027, with the only advisory noting that the rear seat has been removed.

The V5C was present and recorded four former keepers.

No reserve meant it was selling

There was another ingredient that made watching this particular auction interesting.

There was no reserve.

That means there wasn’t a hidden minimum figure the bidding needed to reach before a sale could take place.

Once somebody bid, the Pajero Evolution was going to have a new owner.

By the time the internet bids had loaded, a substantial amount of money was already on the table.

Then auctioneer David turned his attention to the room.

And that’s where the battle continued.

Worth every penny?

The bidding opened to the room at £14,800.

From there, it moved largely in £200 increments.

Another bid.

Another £200.

Then another.

For a fairly lengthy auction, the Pajero continued edging upwards as bidders decided whether they were prepared to take one more step.

We filmed the whole thing.

Have a figure in mind before you watch and ask yourself the same question we did:

Worth every penny?

The hammer finally fell at £18,000

Eventually, David brought the gavel down.

The hammer price was £18,000.

With buyer’s premium added, Anglia Car Auctions records the final result as £19,440.

There was no estimate to compare it with because the Mitsubishi had been entered at no reserve.

Instead, the bidders themselves effectively established its value on the day.

And for one of just 2,500 Pajero Evolutions, complete with long-distance rally history and a documented engine rebuild, there was clearly plenty of enthusiasm in the room and online.

A homologation special with a difference

There’s something wonderfully refreshing about this particular car.

Many homologation specials have become extremely valuable precisely because collectors want the closest thing possible to an untouched original example.

This Pajero Evolution has lived a rather different life.

It has been modified for serious long-distance rallying.

It has travelled to South America and South Africa.

It has a roll cage, harnesses, additional fuel capacity and a Brantz trip meter.

And rather than detracting from its story, we’d argue that those things are a big part of what makes it so interesting.

This is a machine descended from Mitsubishi’s Dakar programme that has actually been used for adventure.

Would you have kept bidding?

At £18,000 before fees, the winning bidder secured something you certainly aren’t likely to encounter every day.

A 275bhp V6 Mitsubishi homologation special is interesting enough.

One with this sort of competition history is another proposition altogether.

Would you preserve it exactly as it is and enjoy the story it has accumulated?

Or would you be tempted to prepare it for another adventure and add another chapter?

Either way, we suspect the new owner is going to have an enormous amount of fun with it.

Worth every penny?

You can see the original description and full gallery of photographs on the Anglia Car Auctions website:

https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/auctions/2774-22-Aug-2026/15411~1-1997-mitsubishi-pajero-evolution