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DBW 37B

1991 Lotus Elan

Black Petrol 1588cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires26 Apr 2027
Tests30 (20 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

172,810 mi
Last recorded172,810 miles
Recorded on27 Apr 2026
Typical for 1991 Lotus Elan80,091 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Lotus
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationDBW 37B
MakeLotus
ModelElan
Year1991
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,588cc

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 10 fail
Pass 27 Apr 2026 172,810 miles

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

suspension noise from front

Fail 7 Apr 2026 172,802 miles

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

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

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

Pass 19 Nov 2024 171,808 miles
Fail 19 Nov 2024 171,808 miles

Front Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.1 (d))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (4.1.2 (a))

Pass 13 Oct 2023 171,585 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Fail 6 Oct 2023 171,532 miles

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment no reserve (1.1.6 (c))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 10 Oct 2022 171,253 miles

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front dip beam slightly dull

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

park brake leaver travel just met requirements

Fail 7 Oct 2022 171,253 miles

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment no reserve (1.1.6 (c))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front dip beam slightly dull

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 15 Oct 2021 171,013 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases at joints x2 (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 9 Oct 2020 170,741 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases exhaust has small leak at most joins. (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 26 Apr 2019 170,528 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases from turbo gasket, middle section join and back box join. (6.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 27 Apr 2018 170,176 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases At joins (7.1.2)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 7 Apr 2017 169,558 miles
Pass 6 May 2016 168,870 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Fail 3 May 2016 168,866 miles

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 9 Mar 2015 167,840 miles
Fail 23 Feb 2015 167,832 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Offside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam (1.7.4a)

Offside Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on main beam (1.7.4a)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

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

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

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

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)

Oil leak

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

exhaust clamp missing at rear/centre section

Pass 8 Nov 2013 165,015 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Fail 6 Nov 2013 165,015 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 30 Oct 2012 163,222 miles

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

play in o/s/front steering rack end

Fail 26 Oct 2012 163,222 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

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

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

play in o/s/front steering rack end

Pass 3 Nov 2011 160,838 miles
Pass 8 Nov 2010 158,501 miles

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 2 Nov 2009 153,477 miles

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

Pass 29 Oct 2008 149,397 miles
Fail 29 Oct 2008 149,397 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 5 Nov 2007 145,291 miles
Fail 5 Nov 2007 145,291 miles

Front Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

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

Pass 20 Nov 2006 139,422 miles
Pass 14 Jan 2006 134,848 miles

How Reliable is the Lotus Elan?

Based on 51,097 MOT tests across 4,280 vehicles.

77.4%
Pass Rate
554
Miles/Year
59
Year Lifespan
4,280
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 2,585
brake recording little or no effort 1,342
parking brake recording little or no effort 1,318
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 927
brake binding 845
Full Lotus Elan reliability report

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DBW 37B is a 1991 Lotus Elan in Black with a 1,588cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

Across all 1991 Lotus Elan models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.1% with a typical mileage of 80,091 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 Elan fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 2,585 recorded failures. If you're considering buying DBW 37B, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Lotus Elan typically stays on UK roads for around 59 years. At 35 years old, this Lotus Elan is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of DBW 37B?

You can check the full history of DBW 37B by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was DBW 37B registered?

DBW 37B is a 1991 Lotus Elan, first registered on 31 December 1991.

Is DBW 37B safe to buy?

The MOT history for DBW 37B shows 30 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does DBW 37B 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 DBW 37B. 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.