Mitsubishi Minicab (U41–U62): The Complete UK Owner's Guide

The Mitsubishi Minicab is the value pick of the kei world — honest, capable, often the cheapest way into a 4WD mini truck — with two things worth knowing before you buy: a genuinely strong turbo option, and the trickiest parts supply of the mainstream kei trucks. This guide covers the in-house, 3G83-engined Minicab truck and van across both generations.

This is the long version: the engine, the Nissan Clipper connection, how to avoid the post-2014 Suzuki rebadge, and importing one in 2026.

What is the Mitsubishi Minicab?

This guide is about the Mitsubishi-built, 3G83-engined Minicab — the two in-house generations:

| Body | Codes (2WD / 4WD) | Years | |---|---|---| | Truck | U41T / U42T | 1991–1999 (narrow body) | | Truck | U61T / U62T | 1999–2014 (current kei size) | | Van | U41V / U42V | 1991–1999 | | Van | U61V / U62V | 1999–2014 |

Odd = 2WD, even = 4WD. Same cab-over, under-seat-engine layout as the Carry and Hijet. There's also the Town Box, the passenger-MPV version of the van (usually registered as a car in the UK).

The Nissan Clipper connection

From 2003, Nissan sold a rebadged U61/U62 Minicab as the Nissan Clipper (truck: U71T/U72T; van: U71V/U72V). It is mechanically identical — and that's good news: a Clipper is a parts donor for a Minicab and vice versa, which meaningfully widens the parts pool for both. (Watch the era, though: the newer NT100/NV100 Clipper from late 2013 switched to a Suzuki base.)

The 3G83 engine — including the turbo

The 3G83 is a 658cc three-cylinder, and unusually for a kei it's DOHC in its modern forms. Three versions appeared:

| Version | Power | Torque | Notes | |---|---|---|---| | Early carb SOHC | ~39 PS | ~51 N·m | Earliest U41 only | | NA DOHC EFI | ~46–51 PS | ~56–62 N·m | The common one | | Turbo DOHC EFI (3G83T) | 64 PS | ~96 N·m | The one to seek for UK roads |

That turbo is the Minicab's hidden weapon — 96 N·m is the strongest torque figure of any non-Suzuki-based kei truck here, and it transforms the truck on A-roads and dual carriageways. The engine sits under the front seats (easy, seat-hinge access — better than the Acty or Sambar).

The 4WD system

Selectable part-time 4WD (2H/4H), with higher-spec 4WD trucks adding a Hi/Lo transfer case (low range) and, on some trims, a rear diff lock — broadly on a par with the Carry and Hijet when fully optioned. The catch is ground clearance: at ~150 mm the Minicab sits a touch lower than the Hijet and notably lower than the Acty, which is its main off-road limitation. Finding a U62T with both Hi/Lo and a diff lock takes auction-sheet hunting, but it's a properly capable little truck when you do.

Specifications

| Specification | Minicab U62T (truck, 6th gen) | |---|---| | Engine | 3G83 658cc DOHC 12v, NA or turbo | | Power | ~46–51 PS (NA) / 64 PS (turbo) | | Layout | Under-seat engine, RWD / selectable 4WD | | Transmission | 5-speed manual / 3-speed auto | | Length × Width × Height | 3,395 × 1,475 × ~1,785 mm | | Kerb weight | ~730–790 kg | | Payload (truck) | 350 kg | | Bed | ~1,940 × 1,400 mm | | Ground clearance | ~150 mm | | Tyres | 145R12 |

(The earlier U41/U42 is smaller — ~3,295 × 1,395 mm — being a pre-1998 narrow-body kei.)

Top speed and UK road use

• NA (46–51 PS): ~59–65 mph; dual carriageways achievable, motorways at the limit.
• Turbo (64 PS, 96 N·m): ~71–75 mph; comfortable on dual carriageways and 60 mph motorway stints.

If you'll do any real road mileage, the turbo U62T is the pick — it's one of the more road-usable kei trucks once boost is in play.

Importing a Minicab to the UK in 2026

Clean and simple: both in-house generations (1991–2014) are now over 10 years old, so every one imports MOT-only — no IVA. Usual steps: export from Japan (RHD already), ship, NOVA within 14 days, MOT (fit a rear fog light), V55/5 to DVLA.

ULEZ, parts and insurance

ULEZ. EBD-prefix Minicabs (roughly 2006 onward) are Euro 4 and ULEZ-compliant; earlier examples generally aren't — check individually on the TfL checker.

Insurance. Specialist import brokers as usual (Advance, Adrian Flux, Brentacre). The Town Box, if registered as a car, may go on a standard policy.

What to check before you buy

• Confirm it's a real 3G83 Minicab (U-code), not a post-2014 Suzuki rebadge (R06A / DS-code).
• Timing belt history — replace if unknown (interference engine).
• Turbo (3G83T): no blue smoke cold or under load; no surge/whistle; clean, fresh oil (turbos need disciplined oil changes).
• 4WD: test 4H, and Hi/Lo + diff lock if fitted; check front CVs on slow lock turns.
• Rust: cab floor under the engine cover, rear chassis rails, sills, van lower-rear panels, bed cross-members.
• Paperwork: odometer in km (÷1.609), auction sheet (grade 3.5+), confirm code and NA-vs-turbo.

What does a Minicab cost in the UK?

Indicative (mid-2026), usually + VAT — and generally the cheapest mainstream kei trucks:

| Spec | Indicative price | |---|---| | U41/U42 (older, narrow body) | ~£3,000–£8,000 + VAT | | U61T 2WD NA, 5MT | ~£4,500–£7,000 + VAT | | U62T 4WD NA, 5MT, Hi/Lo | ~£6,500–£10,000 + VAT | | U62T 4WD Turbo, Hi/Lo | ~£8,000–£13,000 + VAT | | U61V/U62V van 4WD | ~£5,000–£8,500 + VAT | | Town Box U62W 4WD | ~£6,000–£10,000 + VAT |

Value drivers: the turbo commands the biggest premium, then 4WD with confirmed Hi/Lo and diff lock, then low km and ULEZ-compliant (EBD) examples.

Overland and build notes

Truck: 350 kg payload, and a real practical plus — the under-seat engine means no bed access panel to design around (unlike the Acty and Sambar), so standard kei canopies and sleeping platforms fit straight on. The downside: the aftermarket is the thinnest in the class — Hijet lift kits don't fit, and you're realistically limited to ~2" (50 mm) of lift with mostly US-sourced/DIY parts (bolt pattern is 4×100, shared with the Acty).

Van / Town Box: a flat-floored micro-camper base comparable to the Suzuki Every (the Town Box NA is down on the turbo Every for power but works well as an urban camper). Standard DC-DC second-battery + solar approach applies.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Mitsubishi Minicab the same as the Nissan Clipper?

For the 2003–2013 U71/U72 era, yes — the Clipper is a rebadged U61/U62 Minicab, and parts interchange. (Newer NT100/NV100 Clippers switched to a Suzuki base.)

How do I know it's a real Mitsubishi Minicab and not a Suzuki?

Genuine in-house Minicabs have the 3G83 engine and a U-code (U41/U42/U61/U62). A post-2014 "Minicab" with an R06A engine and a DS-code is a rebadged Suzuki.

Does the Minicab have a turbo?

Yes — the 3G83T turbo makes 64 PS and ~96 N·m, the strongest torque of the non-Suzuki kei trucks here, and it's well worth seeking for UK roads.

Are Minicab parts hard to get in the UK?

It's the hardest of the mainstream kei trucks locally, but ordering from Japan is straightforward (1–2 weeks), and the Nissan Clipper cross-compatibility widens the pool.

Does it need an IVA to import?

No. Every in-house 3G83 Minicab (1991–2014) is over 10 years old, so it's MOT-only.

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Looking for one? Browse parts for the Minicab, check the accessories, or see the model pages for the U61T truck, U41T truck and the van. Want a turbo 4WD found and checked? Get in touch.