Mitsubishi Mirage G4

Importing a used Mitsubishi Mirage G4 from the USA

The Mirage G4 is the four-door sedan sibling of Mitsubishi's Mirage hatchback, and in North America it carved out a niche as one of the last genuinely cheap, no-frills new cars on sale. That reputation follows it into the used market, where clean, low-mileage examples turn up in large numbers across the US. For a European buyer, importing a used Mirage G4 from the USA is less about chasing a bargain supercar and more about landing a simple, frugal commuter that is easy to run and cheap to insure. USCar Trader handles that import as an independent broker: we source, verify and ship the car you choose, without acting as a dealer or adding a hidden margin.

Because the Mirage G4 is a subcompact built to a tight budget, the details matter more than they would on a premium car. Trim, transmission, service history and accident record all shift the value, and a US-market example brings a handful of quirks a German registration process needs to reconcile. This page walks through what the car actually is, what to look for, and how the import works end to end.

Generations at a glance

The Mirage nameplate has a long history, but the current small car dates to 2012 as a global A-segment model. The sedan version, badged Mirage G4 in most markets (and simply Mirage sedan in the US for a time), arrived for the 2017 model year in North America. It shares its platform and running gear with the five-door hatch but adds a conventional boot and a slightly longer wheelbase. A mid-cycle facelift for 2021 brought revised front and rear styling, a reworked grille, LED lighting on higher trims and updated infotainment. Mitsubishi kept the formula deliberately unchanged: light weight, a tiny three-cylinder engine and rock-bottom running costs.

Powertrain lineup

Every US Mirage G4 uses the same powertrain: a 1.2-litre 3A92 three-cylinder petrol engine producing roughly 78 hp and 100 Nm. Drive goes to the front wheels through either a five-speed manual (rare on the sedan) or, far more commonly, a CVT automatic. The CVT is the transmission you will see on the vast majority of US cars, and it suits the car's commuter brief better than its outright acceleration suggests. This is not a quick car; it is a light one, tipping the scales around 1,000 kg, which is why real-world fuel economy is its headline feature. There is no all-wheel-drive option and no turbocharged variant.

Trims in the US market

The G4 is a sedan only. US trims typically run from the base ES through SE to the better-equipped SEL, with automatic climate control, keyless entry, a touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and alloy wheels appearing as you move up the range. Even loaded cars stay modest: cloth seats, manual adjustment and a compact footprint throughout. If you want the hatchback instead, that is the standard Mirage; the G4 is specifically the three-box sedan.

The used market stateside

Mirage G4 sedans are plentiful in the US, often as fleet, rental or first-owner economy cars. Typical import candidates are three to seven years old with moderate mileage, since these cars accumulate commuter miles quickly but are mechanically undemanding. Southern and western states offer the cleanest, rust-free bodies, which matters on a budget car where corrosion repairs can outweigh the vehicle's worth. Condition varies widely because many were bought as cheap transport and maintained accordingly, so history checks carry real weight here.

Who should import one

A used Mirage G4 makes sense for the buyer who wants an uncomplicated, economical second car, a low-cost daily driver, or a compact automatic that is inexpensive to insure and service. It is not the car for long autobahn stints at high speed or for anyone needing serious performance or space. If your priority is minimal running costs and a specific US-spec example you have found, the import route can bring exactly that car to Germany.

Key specifications

How reliable is it?

Mirage G4 reliability is generally strong precisely because the mechanicals are so simple. The 3A92 engine has no turbo, no direct injection complexity and a modest state of tune, so it tends to run for a long time on basic maintenance. The most common Mirage G4 problems reported in the US relate to the CVT: some owners note whine, hesitation or shudder if fluid changes are neglected, so proof of transmission servicing is valuable. Suspension bushings and wheel bearings can wear on higher-mileage cars, and the lightweight body means door seals and trim can feel flimsy. Brake and tyre parts are cheap, but always check that any recall work has been carried out.

What US models do differently

US-spec Mirage G4s run amber front indicators integrated differently from European norms, side marker lights, a US-oriented instrument cluster in mph, and infotainment tuned for North American radio bands. The lighting package is the main technical area a German inspection scrutinises. Emissions hardware is broadly comparable for a petrol car of this class, but documentation of the exact US specification helps the approval process.

Seven steps to your import

The process runs from selection of a specific car, to a VIN and origin check to establish the build plant, to a secure escrow payment, to booked ocean freight in a container or RoRo vessel, to customs clearance on arrival in an EU port, to TÜV inspection and individual approval (Einzelabnahme) where needed, and finally to German registration. We coordinate each stage and keep you informed at every handover point.

Customs, taxes and costs explained

In short: the 0% duty rate applies only with documented US origin (VIN/plant) – German import VAT of 19% is always due.

Two separate charges apply. First, the EU import duty: since 1 July 2026, Regulations (EU) 2026/1455 and 2026/1461 allow a 0% rate for vehicles of provable US origin shipped directly, but this depends entirely on the actual build plant. The Mirage G4 is not US-built, so the standard duty rate for the car's true origin applies unless a specific preferential rule covers it. Second, and always, the 19% German import VAT (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) is levied on the customs value. We never promise duty-free status and we state these two charges separately so you can budget honestly.

German TÜV and registration

Typical work includes converting or adapting the lighting to European requirements, fitting a rear fog lamp, and confirming the odometer reads correctly (a kilometre conversion is usually noted rather than the unit changed). Once the car passes inspection, it receives its German papers and can be registered normally.

The buyer checklist

Verify the VIN matches the title and the car. Pull a full Carfax or AutoCheck history for accidents, title brands and service records. Inspect for rust, especially on cars from northern states. Confirm CVT fluid changes and any engine servicing. Check the title status is clean, not salvage or rebuilt, unless you deliberately want a project. Look for even tyre wear and a straight, gap-consistent body. Confirm all recall work is complete.

Questions and answers

Is the Mirage G4 reliable enough to import?

Yes. Its simple, naturally aspirated engine and light body make it durable, provided the CVT has been serviced and the body is rust-free.

What does it cost to import a used Mirage G4 from the USA?

Costs comprise the car, ocean freight, any import duty based on the build plant, and the 19% German import VAT. We quote these separately and add no margin.

Does the 0% EU duty apply to the Mirage G4?

Only with provable US origin. The Mirage G4 is not US-built, so the standard rate for its actual plant applies unless a specific rule covers it.

Is the CVT a weak point?

It is the main item to check. Neglected fluid can cause shudder or whine, so insist on service proof.

Can I import a manual Mirage G4?

Occasionally. Manuals are rare on the US sedan, so most import candidates are CVT automatics.

How old are typical US import cars?

Most are three to seven years old with moderate commuter mileage.

Will it pass TÜV?

Yes, after the usual lighting adaptation and rear fog lamp, plus a standard individual approval where required.

Is fuel economy really the main draw?

For most buyers, yes. Frugal running costs are the car's defining trait.

Explore more Mitsubishi options in the Mitsubishi in the Carhub, or compare closely related models such as the Mitsubishi Mirage, the Mitsubishi Lancer and the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. You can also browse current Mirage G4 listings.