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H585 ELX

1990 Lotus Elan

Blue Petrol 1588cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires18 May 2027
Tests28 (17 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate60.7%

Mileage

108,306 mi
Last recorded108,306 miles
Recorded on19 May 2026
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
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationH585 ELX
MakeLotus
ModelElan
Year1990
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

17 pass 11 fail
Pass 19 May 2026 108,306 miles

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

Nearside Front Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 8 May 2026 108,298 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 25 Aug 2023 108,048 miles

Exhaust silencer slightly loose (8.1.1 (b) (i))

Fail 21 Aug 2023 108,037 miles

Offside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Exhaust silencer slightly loose (8.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Pass 17 Aug 2022 107,295 miles

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Pass 5 Jul 2021 104,195 miles
Fail 1 Jul 2021 104,180 miles

Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

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

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side low effort (1.4.1 (a))

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

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

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

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

Fail 13 Apr 2019 104,134 miles

Nearside Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (5.2.3 (f))

Nearside Windscreen wiper missing (3.4 (a))

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

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

Pass 12 Jun 2018 103,747 miles

Hazard warning tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

Fail 12 Jun 2018 103,747 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Hazard warning tell-tale inoperative (4.9.1 (a) (i))

Pass 17 Nov 2017 103,569 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules intermediate (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules intermediate (3.6.B.4e)

Oil leak

Fail 9 Nov 2017 103,569 miles

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules intermediate (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules intermediate (3.6.B.4e)

Oil leak

Pass 14 Nov 2016 102,378 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules all (3.6.B.4e)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Fail 20 Sep 2016 102,378 miles

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

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle 46% (3.7.B.5b)

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules all (3.6.B.4e)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 14 Oct 2015 103,148 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

front and rear flexible brake hose ferrules corroded

power steering pipe corroded

Pass 17 Oct 2014 102,902 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Oil leak

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

nearside front brake binding slightly

Pass 17 Oct 2013 102,486 miles
Pass 25 Oct 2012 102,190 miles
Pass 24 Oct 2011 101,504 miles

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Fail 23 Sep 2011 101,504 miles

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

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

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

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 21 Oct 2010 101,062 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

exhaust has a clamp that is getting weak

Fail 15 Oct 2010 101,059 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

exhaust has a clamp that is getting weak

Pass 5 Oct 2009 100,639 miles
Pass 7 Oct 2008 100,083 miles
Fail 29 Sep 2008 100,066 miles

Offside Front An item not tested (Manual)

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

Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 26 Sep 2007 99,662 miles
Fail 26 Sep 2007 99,662 miles

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Pass 13 Oct 2006 99,029 miles

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

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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H585 ELX is a 1990 Lotus Elan in Blue with a 1,588cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.7%.

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 H585 ELX, 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 H585 ELX?

You can check the full history of H585 ELX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was H585 ELX registered?

H585 ELX is a 1990 Lotus Elan, first registered on 9 August 1990.

Is H585 ELX safe to buy?

The MOT history for H585 ELX shows 28 tests with a 60.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does H585 ELX 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 H585 ELX. 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.