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J491 WJM

1992 Lotus Elan

Yellow Petrol 1588cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Aug 2027
Tests27 (20 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate74.1%

Mileage

111,233 mi
Last recorded111,233 miles
Recorded on29 Jul 2026
Typical for 1992 Lotus Elan76,086 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Lotus
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ491 WJM
MakeLotus
ModelElan
Year1992
ColourYellow
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

20 pass 7 fail
Pass 29 Jul 2026 111,233 miles

Corrosion to rear suspension components.

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

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

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

Pass 29 Jul 2025 109,476 miles

Offside Front Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

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

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

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

Pass 29 Jul 2024 107,754 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

Pass 2 Aug 2023 105,986 miles

Nearside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

Offside Front Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

damp around power steering pipe and rack

Pass 26 Jul 2022 104,322 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))

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

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

Fail 26 Jul 2022 104,322 miles

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Fail 25 Jul 2022 104,322 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

both front tyres worn inner edges almost to cords .......

coating of oil on o/s/f shock absorber & suspension , appears not to be from shock absorber .......

oil leak .......

slight play felt at o/s/r wheel .......

Pass 18 Aug 2021 102,288 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 3 Jul 2020 98,434 miles

Offside Front Lower Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear most (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component Rack, pump, hoses (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 3 Jul 2020 98,434 miles

Offside Front Lower Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear most (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component Rack, pump, hoses (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 26 Jun 2019 96,948 miles

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

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Fail 26 Jun 2019 96,948 miles

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

Power steering pump has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

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

Pass 7 Jul 2018 94,994 miles

Exhaust corroded

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

General corrosion to suspension

Offside Front Nail in tyre

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Fail 3 Jul 2018 94,994 miles

Offside Front Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Front Wheel bearing so rough it is likely to overheat or break up (5.1.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Exhaust corroded

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

General corrosion to suspension

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

Offside Front Nail in tyre

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 26 Apr 2017 91,763 miles
Pass 20 Apr 2016 89,546 miles
Fail 20 Apr 2016 89,546 miles

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 12 May 2015 87,550 miles
Pass 9 May 2014 86,758 miles
Pass 3 May 2013 85,175 miles
Pass 12 Apr 2012 83,974 miles
Pass 21 Apr 2011 82,530 miles
Pass 8 Jun 2009 77,006 miles
Pass 20 May 2008 73,820 miles

Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Fail 19 May 2008 73,820 miles

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

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)

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

Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 13 Jun 2007 71,913 miles

damage to front subframe

offside rear shock absorber damp

rear brake discs corroded

slight dampness around power steering rack

Pass 2 Jun 2006 69,329 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

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J491 WJM is a 1992 Lotus Elan in Yellow with a 1,588cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 74.1%.

Across all 1992 Lotus Elan models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.0% with a typical mileage of 76,086 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

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 J491 WJM, 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 34 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 J491 WJM?

You can check the full history of J491 WJM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J491 WJM registered?

J491 WJM is a 1992 Lotus Elan, first registered on 17 June 1992.

Is J491 WJM safe to buy?

The MOT history for J491 WJM shows 27 tests with a 74.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J491 WJM 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 J491 WJM. 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.