CarVerify

Free Car Check

H390 YMW

1991 Lotus Elan

Blue Petrol 1588cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires28 Apr 2025
Tests22 (14 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate63.6%

Mileage

63,665 mi
Last recorded63,665 miles
Recorded on25 Jun 2025
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
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

RegistrationH390 YMW
MakeLotus
ModelElan
Year1991
ColourBlue
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
Fail 25 Jun 2025 63,665 miles

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

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

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

Coil spring corroded All front and rear (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Headlamp lens slightly defective both headlights (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened All suspension components front and rear sub frames suspension arms rods etc (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 29 Apr 2024 63,596 miles

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

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

Headlamp lens slightly defective Deteriorated (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Inner Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

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

Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy Both (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened All arms, frames, springs and bars (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 23 Apr 2024 63,596 miles

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

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Headlamp lens slightly defective Deteriorated (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Inner Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

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

Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy Both (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened All arms, frames, springs and bars (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 3 May 2022 63,523 miles

Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output Both (4.1.4 (b))

Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened Both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Front Lower Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

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

Pass 24 May 2021 63,333 miles

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

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

Offside Front Lower Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both rear (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 16 Apr 2021 63,321 miles

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

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

Central Front Upper Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Offside Front Lower Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Rear Service brake requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair Both rear (1.2.1 (c))

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both rear tyres (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Rear Wheel bearing has slight play Both rear (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 22 Aug 2019 62,890 miles
Fail 9 Jul 2019 62,880 miles

Nearside Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam headlight does not pop up (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam headlight does not pop up (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (i))

Offside Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Suspension arm insecurely attached retaining bolt loose (5.3.3 (a) (i))

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

slight play o/s/r wheel

Pass 12 Jun 2018 62,286 miles

both headlight images

Fail 12 Jun 2018 62,286 miles

Nearside Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

both headlight images

o/s headlight several times to open

Pass 6 Apr 2017 61,718 miles

sump damage and slight leak

indicator stalk n/s

n/s headlight image

Fail 5 Apr 2017 61,718 miles

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

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

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort low (3.7.B.6a)

Offside rear brake recording little or no effort very very low (3.7.B.5a)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort very very low (3.7.B.6a)

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

indicator stalk n/s

n/s headlight image

oil on min

power steering stiff

slight play n/s/r wheel bearing

sump damage and slight leak

braking total only 50%

Pass 16 Apr 2015 61,058 miles
Pass 3 Mar 2014 60,806 miles
Pass 27 Jul 2012 59,909 miles
Pass 20 Jul 2011 58,792 miles
Pass 30 Jun 2010 55,940 miles
Pass 22 Jun 2009 54,630 miles
Fail 9 Jun 2009 54,586 miles

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Pass 30 Apr 2008 52,401 miles
Pass 14 Feb 2007 50,867 miles
Fail 7 Feb 2007 50,766 miles

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.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

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

H390 YMW is a 1991 Lotus Elan in Blue 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 H390 YMW, 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 H390 YMW?

You can check the full history of H390 YMW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was H390 YMW registered?

H390 YMW is a 1991 Lotus Elan, first registered on 1 January 1991.

Is H390 YMW safe to buy?

The MOT history for H390 YMW 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 H390 YMW 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 H390 YMW. 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.