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AO02 SZC

2002 Lotus Elise

Blue Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 May 2027
Tests26 (18 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate69.2%

Mileage

147,008 mi
Last recorded147,008 miles
Recorded on15 May 2026
Typical for 2002 Lotus Elise36,462 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Lotus
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationAO02 SZC
MakeLotus
ModelElise
Year2002
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,796cc

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

18 pass 8 fail
Pass 15 May 2026 147,008 miles

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 21 May 2025 144,344 miles

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

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Fail 21 May 2025 144,344 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too far to the left (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Fail 9 Apr 2025 144,304 miles

Brake servo defective or ineffective (1.1.10 (a) (i))

Front Body mounting fixings insecure Front cross bar snapped corrded (6.2.2 (c) (i))

Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim too far to the right (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Offside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Front Bumper likely to become detached (6.1.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake lining(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 16 Apr 2024 141,246 miles
Pass 3 Apr 2023 139,725 miles

Coil spring corroded both rear (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

damage to n/s/f underbody

Pass 21 Feb 2022 138,772 miles

Front clam/underside of front clam shell is damaged but does not meet any criteria to fail at time of inspection

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

Play in steering rack at nearside

Fail 10 Feb 2022 138,772 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Direction indicator likely to become detached (4.4.1 (c) (ii))

Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))

Offside Front Direction indicator likely to become detached (4.4.1 (c) (ii))

Offside Front Direction indicator obviously incorrectly positioned (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Obligatory mirror insecure (3.3 (b) (ii))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Front clam/underside of front clam shell is damaged but does not meet any criteria to fail at time of inspection

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Play in steering rack at nearside

Throttle pedal sticks on and is difficult to release

Fail 16 Aug 2021 138,555 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Inner Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 11 Jan 2019 134,108 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Fail 31 Dec 2018 134,096 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Pass 18 May 2017 128,625 miles

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

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

Pass 21 Apr 2016 120,690 miles

Brake pad(s) wearing thin all rear (3.5.1g)

Offside Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

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

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

Fail 18 Apr 2016 120,690 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm on inner shoulder (4.1.E.1)

Brake pad(s) wearing thin all front (3.5.1g)

Brake pad(s) wearing thin all rear (3.5.1g)

Offside Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit on inner shoulder (4.1.E.1)

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

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

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

Pass 14 May 2015 99,213 miles
Fail 5 May 2015 98,673 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp incorrect colour (1.7.5b)

Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 4 Aug 2014 88,021 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 23 Jul 2014 67,722 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Side repeater missing (1.4.A.2b)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 10 Jul 2013 74,849 miles

wiper slight smearing screen

Pass 27 Jul 2012 73,904 miles
Pass 7 Jul 2011 72,021 miles
Pass 27 Jul 2010 62,185 miles
Pass 15 Jul 2009 60,359 miles
Pass 25 Jun 2008 56,731 miles
Pass 23 May 2007 55,803 miles
Pass 2 May 2006 49,374 miles

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

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

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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AO02 SZC is a 2002 Lotus Elise in Blue with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69.2%.

Across all 2002 Lotus Elise models, the average MOT pass rate is 82.9% with a typical mileage of 36,462 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 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 AO02 SZC, 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 24 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 AO02 SZC?

You can check the full history of AO02 SZC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AO02 SZC registered?

AO02 SZC is a 2002 Lotus Elise, first registered on 10 July 2002.

Is AO02 SZC safe to buy?

The MOT history for AO02 SZC shows 26 tests with a 69.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AO02 SZC 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 AO02 SZC. 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.