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Hi Jack

I'm wanting to buy a used Lancer and am being warned off in all directions of buying one with CVT transmission... how big of a risk is that?
Also, are ex rentals bad news?

Not all CVT's are bad news.

We have to accept they are becoming more and more popular in a number of different makes/models these days and to be fair, less and less troublesome.

Their main benefits are a reduction in fuel consumption in comparison to the more traditional hydraulic/electronic transmissions.

I wouldn’t be overly nervous about a CVT in this vehicle provided it was a originally sold new in NZ (not a used import). Used imports can have a nasty habit of throwing up all sorts of unpleasant surprises and it is not unheard of for a Japanese domestic market transmission to be different than those produced for export markets.

Ex rentals are OK but like any used vehicle, assume nothing and do the necessary checks.

Thanks jbiddle, I appreciate the advice.