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E16 NSE

1990 Lotus Elan

Red Petrol 1588cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 Nov 2026
Tests27 (16 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate59.3%

Mileage

149,109 mi
Last recorded149,109 miles
Recorded on24 Nov 2025
Typical for 1990 Lotus Elan82,230 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationE16 NSE
MakeLotus
ModelElan
Year1990
ColourRed
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

16 pass 11 fail
Pass 24 Nov 2025 149,109 miles
Pass 1 Aug 2024 148,833 miles

crack in o/s mirror glass

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

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

Fail 26 Jul 2024 148,833 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

crack in o/s mirror glass

Pass 26 May 2023 148,215 miles

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

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

Fail 17 Apr 2023 148,207 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

Pass 2 Apr 2022 147,627 miles

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

Offside Front Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Fail 28 Feb 2022 147,624 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases front to middle joint (6.1.2 (a))

Hazard warning switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Pass 16 Aug 2019 147,271 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 10 Aug 2019 147,268 miles

Nearside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 3 Sep 2018 146,250 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front tyre perishing

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

Fail 30 Aug 2018 146,248 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front tyre perishing

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

Pass 6 Jun 2015 146,100 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 6 Jun 2015 146,100 miles

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

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

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Pass 3 May 2014 143,591 miles
Pass 9 Feb 2013 137,260 miles
Pass 26 Sep 2011 130,707 miles

Coolant leak

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Fail 19 Sep 2011 130,643 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

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

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Coolant leak

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Pass 21 Sep 2010 126,993 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Fail 21 Sep 2010 126,993 miles

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

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Pass 18 Sep 2009 123,637 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

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

Pass 4 Oct 2008 120,679 miles
Pass 1 Oct 2007 119,271 miles

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

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

Fail 27 Sep 2007 119,271 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

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

Pass 28 Sep 2006 107,983 miles
Fail 8 Sep 2006 107,814 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

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

Offside front brake juddering severely (3.7.A.2b)

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

Pass 12 Sep 2005 96,039 miles
Fail 7 Sep 2005 96,039 miles

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

Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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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E16 NSE is a 1990 Lotus Elan in Red with a 1,588cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.3%.

Across all 1990 Lotus Elan models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.8% with a typical mileage of 82,230 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 E16 NSE, 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 36 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 E16 NSE?

You can check the full history of E16 NSE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was E16 NSE registered?

E16 NSE is a 1990 Lotus Elan, first registered on 7 September 1990.

Is E16 NSE safe to buy?

The MOT history for E16 NSE shows 27 tests with a 59.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does E16 NSE 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 E16 NSE. 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.