CarVerify

Free Car Check

C53 NWC

1986 Lotus Excel

Red Petrol 2174cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires13 Feb 2027
Tests13 (10 pass, 3 fail)
Pass rate76.9%

Mileage

88,607 mi
Last recorded88,607 miles
Recorded on14 Feb 2026
Typical for 1986 Lotus Excel53,530 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Lotus
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationC53 NWC
MakeLotus
ModelExcel
Year1986
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 3 fail
Pass 14 Feb 2026 88,607 miles

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

Fail 14 Feb 2026 88,607 miles

Headlamp aim too low Both (4.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 18 Nov 2022 88,599 miles
Pass 9 Apr 2021 88,599 miles

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

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

Offside Front Lower Engine mounting damaged but not to excess (6.1.8 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Fail 30 Mar 2021 88,599 miles

Nearside Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working also interfering with the sidelight (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Speedometer clearly inoperative (7.8 (b) (ii))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Electrical wiring insecure near brake pedal (4.11 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Lower Engine mounting damaged but not to excess (6.1.8 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Pass 12 May 2017 88,599 miles

Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing both offside and nearside rear (2.7.2a)

coil spring corroded front and rear (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 15 Sep 2015 88,599 miles
Pass 18 Jul 2014 88,599 miles

Offside rear parking (secondary) brake imbalance requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.6b)

Pass 6 Jun 2013 88,599 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Oil leak

Pass 14 Jun 2012 88,599 miles
Pass 23 Jun 2011 88,599 miles
Fail 9 May 2006 88,441 miles

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 9 May 2006 88,441 miles

How Reliable is the Lotus Excel?

Based on 5,018 MOT tests across 458 vehicles.

75.4%
Pass Rate
606
Miles/Year
43
Year Lifespan
458
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Steering rack gaiter split 218
Brake pipe excessively corroded 128
brake binding 126
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 118
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 113
Full Lotus Excel reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

C53 NWC is a 1986 Lotus Excel in Red with a 2,174cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 13 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 76.9%.

Across all 1986 Lotus Excel models, the average MOT pass rate is 71.7% with a typical mileage of 53,530 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Lotus Excel fails its MOT is steering rack gaiter split, accounting for 218 recorded failures. If you're considering buying C53 NWC, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Lotus Excel typically stays on UK roads for around 43 years. At 40 years old, this Lotus Excel is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of C53 NWC?

You can check the full history of C53 NWC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C53 NWC registered?

C53 NWC is a 1986 Lotus Excel, first registered on 31 December 1986.

Is C53 NWC safe to buy?

The MOT history for C53 NWC shows 13 tests with a 76.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C53 NWC 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 C53 NWC. 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.