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A959 MAT

1997 Lotus Elise

Silver Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 Sep 2026
Tests22 (20 pass, 2 fail)
Pass rate90.9%

Mileage

68,837 mi
Last recorded68,837 miles
Recorded on9 Sep 2025
Typical for 1997 Lotus Elise47,496 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Lotus
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationA959 MAT
MakeLotus
ModelElise
Year1997
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,796cc

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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

20 pass 2 fail
Pass 9 Sep 2025 68,837 miles
Pass 29 Aug 2024 68,687 miles
Pass 25 Aug 2023 68,394 miles
Pass 19 Aug 2022 68,033 miles
Pass 13 Aug 2021 67,369 miles
Pass 19 Aug 2020 66,949 miles
Pass 21 Aug 2019 66,730 miles
Pass 17 Aug 2018 66,600 miles
Fail 17 Aug 2018 66,600 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Pass 22 Aug 2017 66,358 miles
Pass 26 Aug 2016 66,098 miles
Fail 7 Aug 2015 65,914 miles

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

Pass 7 Aug 2015 65,914 miles
Pass 5 Aug 2014 65,114 miles
Pass 1 Aug 2013 64,534 miles
Pass 9 Aug 2012 63,512 miles
Pass 5 Jul 2010 63,307 miles
Pass 2 Jul 2009 61,802 miles
Pass 27 Jun 2008 58,361 miles

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

Pass 7 Jul 2007 55,896 miles
Pass 26 Jun 2006 50,184 miles
Pass 11 Jan 2006 45,354 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Front Headlamp not in a clean condition but not affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Offside Front Headlamp not in a clean condition but not affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

How Reliable is the Lotus Elise?

Based on 150,954 MOT tests across 12,302 vehicles.

81.8%
Pass Rate
1,309
Miles/Year
30
Year Lifespan
12,302
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 3,173
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 3,131
Headlamp aim too high 3,014
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 2,630
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive 1,898
Full Lotus Elise reliability report

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A959 MAT is a 1997 Lotus Elise in Silver with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 90.9%.

Across all 1997 Lotus Elise models, the average MOT pass rate is 78.3% with a typical mileage of 47,496 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Lotus Elise fails its MOT is exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive, accounting for 3,173 recorded failures. If you're considering buying A959 MAT, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Lotus Elise typically stays on UK roads for around 30 years. At 29 years old, this Lotus Elise is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of A959 MAT?

You can check the full history of A959 MAT by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A959 MAT registered?

A959 MAT is a 1997 Lotus Elise, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is A959 MAT safe to buy?

The MOT history for A959 MAT shows 22 tests with a 90.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A959 MAT 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 A959 MAT. 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.