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H661 XNJ

1990 Lotus Elan

Green Petrol 1588cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 Nov 2026
Tests30 (18 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

106,820 mi
Last recorded106,820 miles
Recorded on21 Nov 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
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationH661 XNJ
MakeLotus
ModelElan
Year1990
ColourGreen
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

18 pass 12 fail
Pass 21 Nov 2025 106,820 miles

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

Fail 18 Nov 2025 106,819 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim unable to be tested headlight not working (4.1.2 (b))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 13 May 2024 105,330 miles

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated both flexy hoses (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Fail 8 May 2024 105,324 miles

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

Front Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen both washers (3.5 (a))

Offside Brake pipe excessively corroded both front to rear brake pipes (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Power steering pipe/hose leaking into power steering rack (2.1.5 (a))

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule both front flexy pipes (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Front Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing both sides corrosion (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

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

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

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

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated both flexy hoses (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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))

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

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

Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing both sides corrosion (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 16 Jan 2023 104,189 miles

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

Rear Coil spring corroded both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fail 6 Jan 2023 104,176 miles

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

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

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

Rear Coil spring corroded both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 1 Feb 2022 103,230 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

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

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

Fail 25 Oct 2021 103,230 miles

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Front Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

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

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

Rear Coil spring corroded Both Coil Springs (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Pass 30 Oct 2020 102,668 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Rear exhaust pipe (by rear box) has slight blow (6.1.2 (a))

Front Front no plate is cracked

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Rear brake discs surfaces rusty pitted (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread Rear noplate is deteriorated due to heat (0.1 (b))

Fail 30 Oct 2020 102,668 miles

Front Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen Front washer jets not hitting screen and blocked (3.5 (a))

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

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Rear exhaust pipe (by rear box) has slight blow (6.1.2 (a))

Front Front no plate is cracked

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Rear brake discs surfaces rusty pitted (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread Rear noplate is deteriorated due to heat (0.1 (b))

Fail 24 Sep 2020 102,643 miles

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

o/s handbrake effort poor

Pass 2 Oct 2019 101,845 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

handbrake effort 16% may need adjustment or repair

Fail 28 Sep 2019 101,818 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Pass 25 Mar 2019 101,520 miles
Pass 29 Mar 2018 100,029 miles
Fail 21 Mar 2018 100,026 miles

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

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

Pass 24 Mar 2017 99,466 miles
Pass 14 Mar 2016 97,945 miles
Fail 14 Mar 2016 97,943 miles

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

Rear exhaust clamp loose

Pass 25 Mar 2015 96,026 miles

Coolant leak

Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Fail 25 Mar 2015 96,026 miles

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Coolant leak

Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 21 Mar 2014 93,132 miles

Coolant leak

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

Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

Pass 21 Mar 2013 89,260 miles

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 24 Apr 2012 88,518 miles
Pass 9 Apr 2011 88,069 miles
Pass 23 Nov 2009 88,054 miles
Pass 31 Jul 2008 87,770 miles

Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Fail 26 Jul 2008 87,770 miles

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

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

Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Pass 23 Jul 2007 87,605 miles
Fail 16 Jul 2007 87,572 miles

Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)

Exhaust mounting missing (7.1.1b)

Nearside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

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

Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b)

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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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H661 XNJ is a 1990 Lotus Elan in Green with a 1,588cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

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 H661 XNJ, 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 H661 XNJ?

You can check the full history of H661 XNJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was H661 XNJ registered?

H661 XNJ is a 1990 Lotus Elan, first registered on 13 August 1990.

Is H661 XNJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for H661 XNJ shows 30 tests with a 60% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does H661 XNJ 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 H661 XNJ. 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.