As said by the others, make sure the dash lights come on and go off when they should. To many dodgy people out there removing the Ayc and abs bulbs to hide faults.
Service history is a must. Plenty of specialists out there doing very good work. Better than some of the Mitsi dealers
If you see something then let us have a link for us to cast an eye over it
As Lee says if your gonna be spending big money it's all about paper work
When I got my latest Evo the guy sellin it said she has upgraded cams and a mines ecu and that she was perfect I had a feeling there wasnt gonna be upgraded cams in it
So I drove for 3hrs meet the guy firsts impressions were good as the bodywork was good clean and straight.
Got in for a spin first thing I noticed the ayc bulb had been removed
No boost when driving acuator was ucked
Someone also tried to disconect the air con and the pump was rattling
No upgraded cams and no mines ecu either some clown put an Evo 4 ecu in it
I still took it though as he was allowing me alot for the car I was trading more than double wat I paid for it so I took the gamble
I have everything sorted on it now and shes going perfect but don't believe anything the seller claims unless he has receipts for everything
Also give the car a decent checking over for rust personally I'd be lookin for a Jap spec model