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AU53 EYX

2003 Lotus Elise

Black Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires2 Jun 2027
Tests33 (20 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate60.6%

Mileage

79,675 mi
Last recorded79,675 miles
Recorded on3 Jun 2026
Typical for 2003 Lotus Elise33,657 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Lotus
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationAU53 EYX
MakeLotus
ModelElise
Year2003
ColourBlack
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

20 pass 13 fail
Pass 3 Jun 2026 79,675 miles

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Fail 29 May 2026 79,675 miles

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

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Pass 29 Apr 2025 79,210 miles

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Fail 29 Apr 2025 79,206 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Pass 27 Jun 2024 78,782 miles

Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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 Wearing on inner (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 2 Jun 2023 78,323 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play track rod end (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 31 May 2022 77,842 miles

Front Window seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view middle (3.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured fading (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Track rod end ball joint has slight play rear track rod (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

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

Fail 31 May 2022 77,840 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Front Window seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view middle (3.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured fading (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Track rod end ball joint has slight play rear track rod (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

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

Pass 18 May 2021 76,893 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear arm outer joint (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 3 Jun 2020 76,078 miles

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Nearside Rear Suspension rod ball joint has slight play Track rod end (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 12 Dec 2018 75,432 miles

Central Lower Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Nearside Rear Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Track rod (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Undertrays fitted not allowing full inspection

Fail 12 Dec 2018 75,430 miles

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

Offside Headlamps matched pair incorrect colour (4.1.4 (a))

Central Lower Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Nearside Rear Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Track rod (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Undertrays fitted not allowing full inspection

Pass 21 Dec 2017 74,432 miles

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush slight play (2.4.G.2)

Fail 20 Dec 2017 74,431 miles

Offside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod has slight play in a pin/bush slight play (2.4.G.2)

Fail 6 Dec 2017 74,409 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

wipers and washers poor

Pass 7 Dec 2016 73,662 miles

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 7 Dec 2016 73,662 miles

Headlamp aim too high both (1.8)

Nearside Lower Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 10 Dec 2015 72,372 miles

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

play in rack inner joints

Fail 9 Dec 2015 72,363 miles

Brake operation has insufficient reserve pressure/vacuum to provide assistance for at least two more brake applications after the warning lamp or other device has operated (3.3.E.5b)

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Front Headlamp aim too low both (1.8)

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

play in rack inner joints

Pass 17 Nov 2014 70,064 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Outer Rear Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 14 Dec 2013 63,689 miles

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Fail 14 Dec 2013 63,689 miles

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Pass 14 Dec 2012 57,046 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 12 Dec 2012 57,007 miles

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

Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 9 Dec 2011 50,361 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Fail 9 Dec 2011 50,361 miles

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

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 16 Dec 2010 45,192 miles

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

Fail 16 Dec 2010 45,192 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 17 Nov 2009 37,181 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Fail 16 Nov 2009 37,181 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 2 Sep 2008 28,706 miles
Pass 18 Aug 2007 22,004 miles
Pass 4 Sep 2006 19,828 miles

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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AU53 EYX is a 2003 Lotus Elise in Black with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.6%.

Across all 2003 Lotus Elise models, the average MOT pass rate is 83.4% with a typical mileage of 33,657 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 AU53 EYX, 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 23 years old, this Lotus Elise is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of AU53 EYX?

You can check the full history of AU53 EYX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was AU53 EYX registered?

AU53 EYX is a 2003 Lotus Elise, first registered on 3 September 2003.

Is AU53 EYX safe to buy?

The MOT history for AU53 EYX shows 33 tests with a 60.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does AU53 EYX 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 AU53 EYX. 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.