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500 NAA

1989 Lotus Esprit

Red Petrol 2174cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires26 Nov 2026
Tests34 (19 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate55.9%

Mileage

82,310 mi
Last recorded82,310 miles
Recorded on12 Nov 2025
Typical for 1989 Lotus Esprit54,649 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Lotus
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Vehicle Details

Registration500 NAA
MakeLotus
ModelEsprit
Year1989
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,174cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

19 pass 15 fail
Pass 12 Nov 2025 82,310 miles
Pass 27 Nov 2024 82,273 miles

Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Fail 18 Nov 2024 82,269 miles

Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 17 Nov 2023 82,219 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Fail 13 Nov 2023 82,215 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords tyre cracked/perished around the circumference of the tread area (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords tyre cracked/perished around the circumference of the tread area (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing slightly cracked/perished between tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing slightly cracked/perished between tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 14 Nov 2022 82,110 miles

All suspension components corroded

Nearside Front Inner Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 5 Mar 2021 82,071 miles
Fail 1 Mar 2021 82,071 miles

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 28 Feb 2020 81,939 miles
Fail 27 Feb 2020 81,939 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Pass 25 Feb 2019 81,852 miles

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Fail 20 Feb 2019 81,852 miles

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Nearside Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle Makes contact with coolant hose (5.2.3 (f))

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 28 Feb 2018 81,601 miles

Engine is mifiring when idle speed is increased

Exhaust emissions has only jut met the requirements, HC level is very high

Offside Front Seat belt buckle surrounding trim damaged slightly and is starting to seperate

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) Both front ()

Fail 23 Feb 2018 81,599 miles

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Passenger's seat insecure Nearside seat and nearside front mounting, bolt is loose and requires tightening (6.2.A.1)

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

front brakes release unevenly (3.7.B.4)

rear brake binding Both rear (3.7.B.1)

Nearside Front Brake hose leaking Hose join to ferrule (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Brake pipe leaking At brake caliper (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Brake hose leaking Hose join to ferrule (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. Rear service brake recorded at 21% (3.7.B.5b)

Engine is mifiring when idle speed is increased

Exhaust emissions has only jut met the requirements, HC level is very high

Offside Front Seat belt buckle surrounding trim damaged slightly and is starting to seperate

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) Both front ()

Pass 1 Mar 2017 81,348 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Rear exhaust silencer (7.1.2)

Fail 23 Feb 2017 81,348 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (7.3.B.1b)

Headlamp aim too low Both headlamps (1.8)

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings Inner wheel arch area (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Body or chassis is cracked, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings Inner wheel arch area (6.1.B.2)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened Both rear (3.5.1i)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Rear exhaust silencer (7.1.2)

Parking brake efficiency at 16% only just met the requirements to pass, advise on adjust/repair maybe necessary

Pass 19 Feb 2016 80,836 miles

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases silencer area at bracket (7.1.2)

Fail 15 Feb 2016 80,835 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Rear silencer (7.1.2)

Emissions not tested Due to exhaust condition (7.3.A.1)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Manifold area (7.1.2)

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Tubed chassis section near exhaust manifold area (2.4.A.3)

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid Do not hit screen as intended (8.2.3)

rear brake excessively fluctuating Both rear (3.7.B.3)

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

Nearside Front Brake slightly binding

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Rear Brake slightly binding

Pass 5 Mar 2015 78,900 miles
Fail 19 Feb 2015 78,988 miles

Nearside Rear Brake cable has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Fuel system component insecure (7.2.1) DANGEROUS

Nearside Brake hose leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

rear parking (secondary) brakes imbalanced (3.7.B.6b) DANGEROUS

Both rear wheels have a slight bind

brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 13 Sep 2013 76,526 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Fail 6 Sep 2013 76,526 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Rear Brake cable has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Front Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering rack fitted) (2.2.A.1b)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

nearside rear tyre worn close to the wear indicators

Pass 17 Aug 2012 71,504 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Fail 13 Aug 2012 71,504 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b) DANGEROUS

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Pass 9 Sep 2011 70,139 miles
Fail 6 Sep 2011 70,131 miles

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

Fail 27 Aug 2010 68,863 miles

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Pass 27 Aug 2010 68,863 miles
Pass 1 Sep 2009 67,637 miles

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 1 Sep 2008 65,593 miles

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

travel on parking brake lever

Pass 19 Feb 2008 64,805 miles

travel on parking brake lever

Pass 5 Jan 2007 63,352 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

slight/play/in/steering/rack

Fail 4 Jan 2007 63,352 miles

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

slight/play/in/steering/rack

Fail 16 Oct 2006 63,352 miles

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

How Reliable is the Lotus Esprit?

Based on 25,410 MOT tests across 2,324 vehicles.

80.6%
Pass Rate
515
Miles/Year
50
Year Lifespan
2,324
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 624
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 464
brake binding 455
parking brake recording little or no effort 332
Headlamp aim too low 326
Full Lotus Esprit reliability report

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500 NAA is a 1989 Lotus Esprit in Red with a 2,174cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.9%.

Across all 1989 Lotus Esprit models, the average MOT pass rate is 78.7% with a typical mileage of 54,649 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Lotus Esprit fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 624 recorded failures. If you're considering buying 500 NAA, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Lotus Esprit typically stays on UK roads for around 50 years. At 37 years old, this Lotus Esprit is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of 500 NAA?

You can check the full history of 500 NAA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was 500 NAA registered?

500 NAA is a 1989 Lotus Esprit, first registered on 3 January 1989.

Is 500 NAA safe to buy?

The MOT history for 500 NAA shows 34 tests with a 55.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does 500 NAA have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on 500 NAA. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.