CarVerify

Free Car Check

F1 RST

1997 Lotus Elise

Black Petrol 1800cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires22 Feb 2027
Tests10 (9 pass, 1 fail)
Pass rate90%

Mileage

40,140 mi
Last recorded40,140 miles
Recorded on23 Feb 2026
Typical for 1997 Lotus Elise47,496 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationF1 RST
MakeLotus
ModelElise
Year1997
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,800cc

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

9 pass 1 fail
Pass 23 Feb 2026 40,140 miles
Pass 29 Jun 2023 40,092 miles
Pass 7 Jul 2022 38,307 miles
Fail 30 Jun 2022 38,380 miles

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Pass 30 Jun 2021 38,221 miles
Pass 23 Jun 2020 38,220 miles
Pass 6 Apr 2019 38,119 miles
Pass 28 Mar 2018 34,582 miles
Pass 30 Mar 2017 34,573 miles
Pass 11 Sep 2015 29,880 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

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

F1 RST is a 1997 Lotus Elise in Black with a 1,800cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 10 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 90%.

Across all 1997 Lotus Elise models, the average MOT pass rate is 78.3% with a typical mileage of 47,496 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

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 F1 RST, 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 29 years old, this Lotus Elise is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of F1 RST?

You can check the full history of F1 RST by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F1 RST registered?

F1 RST is a 1997 Lotus Elise, first registered on 21 July 1997.

Is F1 RST safe to buy?

The MOT history for F1 RST shows 10 tests with a 90% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F1 RST 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 F1 RST. 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.