CarVerify

Free Car Check

G850 XJO

1990 Lotus Elan

Red Petrol 1588cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Sep 2026
Tests30 (19 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate63.3%

Mileage

114,696 mi
Last recorded114,696 miles
Recorded on16 Sep 2025
Typical for 1990 Lotus Elan82,230 mi

Above 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

RegistrationG850 XJO
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

19 pass 11 fail
Pass 16 Sep 2025 114,696 miles
Pass 4 Jul 2025 114,514 miles

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge void of tread on inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 6 Aug 2024 113,566 miles

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

Fail 5 Aug 2024 113,548 miles

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 Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (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))

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

Pass 1 Aug 2023 111,315 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule All hose ferrules (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All metal brake pipes covered in grease (1.1.11 (c))

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

Fail 24 Jul 2023 111,284 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule All hose ferrules (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All metal brake pipes covered in grease (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Fail 21 Jun 2023 111,231 miles

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material ALL brake pipes have a covering of grease (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 23 Jun 2022 110,854 miles
Pass 24 May 2021 110,546 miles
Pass 11 Jun 2020 110,387 miles
Pass 5 Jun 2019 110,156 miles
Fail 4 Jun 2019 110,153 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 25 Apr 2019 110,138 miles

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

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

Pass 26 Apr 2018 109,914 miles

n/s/r brake binding slightly

Pass 28 Apr 2017 109,580 miles
Pass 12 Apr 2016 109,385 miles
Fail 4 Apr 2016 109,380 miles

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

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

Pass 16 Apr 2015 109,133 miles
Pass 24 Apr 2014 108,808 miles

n/s headlamp main beam aim high

Fail 23 Apr 2014 108,805 miles

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

n/s headlamp main beam aim high

rear foot & handbrake performance poor

Pass 23 Apr 2013 108,458 miles
Fail 8 Mar 2013 108,436 miles

Offside Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Offside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

N/S Headlamp loose

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

Pass 1 Mar 2012 107,934 miles

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

Fail 1 Mar 2012 107,934 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

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

Pass 9 Mar 2011 107,504 miles
Pass 27 Aug 2009
Pass 20 May 2008 107,421 miles
Fail 13 May 2008 107,406 miles

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

Nearside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Fail 23 May 2006 107,297 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 23 May 2006 107,297 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

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

G850 XJO is a 1990 Lotus Elan in Red with a 1,588cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.3%.

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 G850 XJO, 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 G850 XJO?

You can check the full history of G850 XJO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was G850 XJO registered?

G850 XJO is a 1990 Lotus Elan, first registered on 31 December 1990.

Is G850 XJO safe to buy?

The MOT history for G850 XJO shows 30 tests with a 63.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does G850 XJO 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 G850 XJO. 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.