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B12 MDA

1989 Lotus Esprit

Red Petrol 2174cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Dec 2026
Tests16 (10 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

47,127 mi
Last recorded47,127 miles
Recorded on6 Dec 2025
Typical for 1989 Lotus Esprit54,649 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationB12 MDA
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

10 pass 6 fail
Pass 6 Dec 2025 47,127 miles
Fail 4 Dec 2025 47,127 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Direction indicator not working wing (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Fail 28 May 2020 46,997 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp are incorrectly positioned headlamp does not pop up (4.1.4 (a))

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Brake lever pivots slightly worn (1.1.1 (b))

Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Lower steering column bush has slight play

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

Nearside Rear handbrake effort low just meeting requirements

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

Offside Front foglamp inop

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

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

radiator mounting cracked and broken

Pass 29 Jul 2019 46,906 miles

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

Pass 7 Sep 2017 46,867 miles
Fail 30 Aug 2017 46,866 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Front Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Front Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

registration plate incorrect both (6.3.1a)

Pass 12 Mar 2015 46,858 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

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

Fail 25 Feb 2015 46,750 miles

Brake servo damaged and function impaired (3.6.A.2c)

Nearside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

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

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

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Pass 3 Jun 2011 37,165 miles
Fail 31 May 2011 37,157 miles

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 1 Jun 2010 29,885 miles

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

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

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

Pass 20 Jan 2009 21,572 miles
Fail 12 Jan 2009 21,405 miles

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

Offside Front Lower Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel (2.1.2b)

Pass 25 Jan 2008 14,422 miles
Pass 16 Feb 2007 10,622 miles

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

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

Steering system slightly tight (2.2.D.1)

Pass 27 Feb 2006 10,418 miles

rear discs in very rusty condition. †rear metal brake pipes surface rust.

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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B12 MDA is a 1989 Lotus Esprit in Red with a 2,174cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 16 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 B12 MDA, 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 B12 MDA?

You can check the full history of B12 MDA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was B12 MDA registered?

B12 MDA is a 1989 Lotus Esprit, first registered on 31 December 1989.

Is B12 MDA safe to buy?

The MOT history for B12 MDA shows 16 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does B12 MDA 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 B12 MDA. 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.