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J801 NLP

1992 Lotus Elan

Black Petrol 1588cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires11 Jul 2026
Tests31 (20 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate64.5%

Mileage

74,598 mi
Last recorded74,598 miles
Recorded on11 Jul 2025
Typical for 1992 Lotus Elan76,086 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

RegistrationJ801 NLP
MakeLotus
ModelElan
Year1992
ColourBlack
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 11 fail
Pass 11 Jul 2025 74,598 miles
Pass 12 Jul 2024 74,375 miles
Pass 16 Jun 2023 74,290 miles
Pass 13 Jun 2022 74,130 miles

general corrosion to underside

Fail 8 Jun 2022 74,118 miles

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

general corrosion to underside

Pass 9 Jun 2021 73,843 miles

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Vehicle underside corroded.

Fail 8 Jun 2021 73,842 miles

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Vehicle underside corroded.

Pass 9 Jun 2020 72,150 miles

Heavy surface corrosion to chassis/subframes in places

Heavy surface corrosion to steering,suspension and brake components

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

Nearside Windscreen washer poor delivery

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

Rear Strong Advise: Brake unions heavily corroded

Strong Advise: Play/wear in both nearside rear and offside rear wheel bearings

Pass 28 Aug 2019 72,035 miles

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

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

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

Pass 20 Jul 2018 71,770 miles

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

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

Slight play in rear wheel bearings

Fail 20 Jul 2018 71,770 miles

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

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

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

Slight play in rear wheel bearings

Pass 10 May 2017 71,413 miles

Slight play in rear wheel bearings

Steering,suspension and brake components showing general age,wear and surface corrosion

Fail 10 May 2017 71,413 miles

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Slight play in rear wheel bearings

Steering,suspension and brake components showing general age,wear and surface corrosion

Pass 29 Apr 2016 70,300 miles

Play in both rear wheel bearings

Steering,suspension and brake components showing general age,wear and surface corrosion

Strong Advise: PAS Pipework heavily corroded and aged

Surface corrosion to metal brake pipes and ferrules

Fail 26 Apr 2016 70,295 miles

Nearside Front Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Hazard warning lamps inoperative repeater (1.4.B.1b)

Nearside Rear Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

Play in both rear wheel bearings

Steering,suspension and brake components showing general age,wear and surface corrosion

Strong Advise: PAS Pipework heavily corroded and aged

Surface corrosion to metal brake pipes and ferrules

Pass 27 Apr 2015 69,833 miles

Knocking/play from rack internals

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

PAS Pipework heavily corroded

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

Play in both nearside rear and offside rear wheel bearings

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Steering,suspension and brake components showing age,wear and corrosion

Surface corrosion to metal brake pipes and ferrules

Fail 22 Apr 2015 69,833 miles

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

Offside Front Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

Offside Headlamp aim not tested (1.8.A.1c)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

front brakes release unevenly (3.7.B.4)

Knocking/play from rack internals

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

PAS Pipework heavily corroded

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

Play in both nearside rear and offside rear wheel bearings

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Steering,suspension and brake components showing age,wear and corrosion

Surface corrosion to metal brake pipes and ferrules

Fail 6 Mar 2014 66,665 miles

All coil springs showing age and corrosion

Check-straps require attention

Chips in screen

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

PAS Pipework showing age and corrosion

Slight play in both rear hubs

Slight play in rack spindles

Steering,suspension and brake components showing general age,wear and corrosion

Stone damage and cuts to treads

Surface corrosion to metal brake pipes and ferrules

Various mistings of oil

Pass 6 Mar 2014 66,665 miles

All coil springs showing age and corrosion

Check-straps require attention

Chips in screen

PAS Pipework showing age and corrosion

Slight play in both rear hubs

Slight play in rack spindles

Steering,suspension and brake components showing general age,wear and corrosion

Stone damage and cuts to treads

Surface corrosion to metal brake pipes and ferrules

Various mistings of oil

Pass 8 Mar 2013 653,143 miles

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

Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside Front Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Oil leak

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

Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

hazzard switch intermittanty

Fail 8 Mar 2013 653,143 miles

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

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside Front Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Oil leak

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

Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

hazzard switch intermittanty

Fail 10 Jan 2012 59,768 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Oil leak

clutch pedal rubber missing

Pass 10 Jan 2012 59,768 miles

Oil leak

clutch pedal rubber missing

Pass 8 Mar 2011 57,243 miles

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

vin plate obscured by alarm

Fail 7 Mar 2011 57,243 miles

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

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

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

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

vin plate obscured by alarm

Pass 5 Mar 2010 56,584 miles
Pass 6 Mar 2009 56,308 miles

Advise,oil leak,general corrosion underside.

Pass 3 Mar 2008 55,670 miles
Fail 16 Feb 2008 55,478 miles

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

21% inbalance accorss front brakes

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Pass 11 Jan 2007 54,562 miles
Pass 3 Mar 2006 52,605 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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J801 NLP is a 1992 Lotus Elan in Black with a 1,588cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.5%.

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 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 J801 NLP, 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 J801 NLP?

You can check the full history of J801 NLP by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J801 NLP registered?

J801 NLP is a 1992 Lotus Elan, first registered on 31 May 1992.

Is J801 NLP safe to buy?

The MOT history for J801 NLP shows 31 tests with a 64.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J801 NLP 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 J801 NLP. 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.