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H283 LFX

1991 Lotus Elan

Red Petrol 1588cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires6 Aug 2027
Tests22 (14 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate63.6%

Mileage

71,844 mi
Last recorded71,844 miles
Recorded on7 Aug 2026
Typical for 1991 Lotus Elan80,091 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

RegistrationH283 LFX
MakeLotus
ModelElan
Year1991
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

14 pass 8 fail
Pass 7 Aug 2026 71,844 miles
Pass 21 Nov 2025 71,522 miles
Pass 4 Dec 2024 70,917 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 15 Jan 2024 70,678 miles
Pass 18 Jan 2023 70,233 miles

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

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

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

Fail 18 Jan 2023 70,232 miles

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

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

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

Pass 19 Nov 2021 69,805 miles

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

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

Rear Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Fail 19 Nov 2021 69,805 miles

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

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

Offside Front Dipswitch does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam (4.1.3 (b))

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

Rear Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Fail 10 Sep 2021 69,805 miles

Offside Front Hydraulic brake calliper leaking (1.1.16 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (4.7.2 (a))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 1 Aug 2014 69,415 miles

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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)

all rear suspension components rusted

Pass 16 Jul 2013 68,642 miles

Rear Brake Pipes Pitted.

Rear Suspension Rusty Related To Age Of Vehicle.

Pass 27 Aug 2011 68,446 miles
Fail 13 Aug 2011 67,998 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

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

Front and rear coil springs corroded

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

Pass 21 Aug 2010 67,990 miles

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

Pass 29 Jul 2009 67,120 miles
Fail 29 Jul 2009 67,120 miles

Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly (1.4.B.1e)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

eml light on dash

Pass 8 Aug 2008 66,760 miles

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

slight play in steering rack

Fail 8 Aug 2008 66,760 miles

Offside Front Brake hose leaking (3.6.A.1)

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

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

slight play in steering rack

Pass 10 Aug 2007 66,429 miles
Fail 4 Aug 2007 66,415 miles

Bootlid cannot be secured in the closed position (6.4.1)

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

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

both rear disc inner faces slightly pitted and corroded

very slight play in both rear wheel bearings

Pass 5 Aug 2006 65,956 miles
Fail 4 Aug 2006 65,956 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

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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H283 LFX is a 1991 Lotus Elan in Red with a 1,588cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.6%.

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 H283 LFX, 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 H283 LFX?

You can check the full history of H283 LFX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was H283 LFX registered?

H283 LFX is a 1991 Lotus Elan, first registered on 1 February 1991.

Is H283 LFX safe to buy?

The MOT history for H283 LFX shows 22 tests with a 63.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does H283 LFX 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 H283 LFX. 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.