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G278 WPF

1990 Lotus Elan

Red Petrol 1588cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires25 Nov 2026
Tests31 (21 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate67.7%

Mileage

61,568 mi
Last recorded61,568 miles
Recorded on26 Nov 2025
Typical for 1990 Lotus Elan82,230 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

RegistrationG278 WPF
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

21 pass 10 fail
Pass 26 Nov 2025 61,568 miles

Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened N/S/F and O/S/F lower arms corroded (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened O/S/R and N/S/R UPPER and LOWER suspension arms corroded (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 11 Nov 2024 61,363 miles

Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened front & rear discs pitted (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output nearside & offside headlights deteriorating (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive engine & gearbox have slight oil leaks (8.4.1 (a) (i))

front & rear suspension components corroding

rear view window deteriorating

Pass 27 Oct 2023 61,136 miles

rear view window deteriorating

wiper switch is faulty

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive engine & gearbox oil leaks (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened front & rear suspension system components corroding (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 27 Oct 2023 61,136 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive engine & gearbox oil leaks (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened front & rear suspension system components corroding (5.3.3 (b) (i))

rear view window deteriorating

wiper switch is faulty

Fail 25 Oct 2023 61,136 miles

Headlamp aim unable to be tested (4.1.2 (b))

Headlamp not working on dipped beam nearside & offside (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.5 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive engine & gearbox oil leaks (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened front & rear suspension system components corroding (5.3.3 (b) (i))

rear view window deteriorating

wiper switch is faulty

Pass 15 Nov 2022 60,980 miles

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive engine & gearbox have slight oil leaks (8.4.1 (a) (i))

front & rear suspension components corroded

wiper switch faulty

Pass 3 Nov 2021 60,770 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

suspension an brake components have surface corrosion

Pass 27 Oct 2020 60,608 miles

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

front and rear suspension corroding

Pass 11 Nov 2019 60,476 miles

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Lower wishbone brake pipe corroded around clip (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 6 Nov 2018 60,236 miles
Fail 5 Nov 2018 60,233 miles

All direction indicators not working All N/S lamps inoperative on Hazards (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Pass 31 Oct 2017 60,011 miles
Pass 7 Nov 2016 59,737 miles

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

underside suspension components deteriorated

Fail 12 Oct 2016 59,718 miles

Nearside Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

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

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

corrosion to n/s/f, o/s/f, n/s/r & o/s/r suspension parts.

Pass 16 Sep 2015 59,451 miles
Pass 17 Sep 2014 59,146 miles

Oil leak

front and rear suspension components deterioating

Fail 17 Sep 2014 59,146 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Oil leak

front and rear suspension components deterioating

Pass 9 Sep 2013 58,693 miles

Nearside Rear Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Fail 9 Sep 2013 58,691 miles

Nearside Front Road wheel badly damaged (4.2.A.1a)

Nearside Rear Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Fail 25 Sep 2012 58,173 miles

Coolant leak

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 25 Sep 2012 58,173 miles

Coolant leak

Pass 3 Oct 2011 57,623 miles
Pass 30 Sep 2010 57,038 miles
Pass 2 Oct 2009 56,475 miles
Fail 1 Oct 2009 56,472 miles

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Nearside Rear 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 9 Oct 2008 55,757 miles

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

both rear tyres worn inner edge

Fail 9 Oct 2008 55,757 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

both rear tyres worn inner edge

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

Fail 2 Sep 2008 55,734 miles

Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b) DANGEROUS

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

n/s/f anti roll bar has play

o/s/f tyre low to 1.6mm adv only

Pass 12 Mar 2008 55,471 miles

Nearside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

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

Offside 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)

Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 20 Mar 2007 54,553 miles
Pass 27 Feb 2006 53,526 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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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.

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G278 WPF is a 1990 Lotus Elan in Red with a 1,588cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 67.7%.

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 G278 WPF, 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 G278 WPF?

You can check the full history of G278 WPF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was G278 WPF registered?

G278 WPF is a 1990 Lotus Elan, first registered on 29 May 1990.

Is G278 WPF safe to buy?

The MOT history for G278 WPF shows 31 tests with a 67.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does G278 WPF 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 G278 WPF. 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.