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J818 ARC

1992 Lotus Elan

Green Petrol 1588cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires11 Jan 2026
Tests24 (13 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate54.2%

Mileage

156,300 mi
Last recorded156,300 miles
Recorded on5 Jan 2025
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

RegistrationJ818 ARC
MakeLotus
ModelElan
Year1992
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

13 pass 11 fail
Pass 5 Jan 2025 156,300 miles
Pass 12 Jan 2024 154,526 miles
Pass 16 Dec 2022 152,596 miles

Front exhaust rubber broken

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

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

Fail 9 Dec 2022 152,596 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (4.1.2 (a))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (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))

Front exhaust rubber broken

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

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

Pass 21 Sep 2021 151,746 miles
Fail 14 Sep 2021 151,734 miles

Front Registration plate insecure (0.1 (a))

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

Nearside Front Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

Offside Front Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

Rear Registration plate insecure (0.1 (a))

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Pass 3 Jun 2015 146,229 miles

n/s/r tyre worn on inner edge

Fail 26 May 2015 146,228 miles

Nearside Outer Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Front Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

n/s/f tyre wearing on inner edge

Pass 17 Jun 2014 144,825 miles
Fail 10 Jun 2014 144,825 miles

Front registration plate character(s) laid out in an incorrect format (6.3.4f)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Inner Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

Rear registration plate character(s) laid out in an incorrect format (6.3.4f)

Pass 31 May 2013 142,398 miles
Fail 22 May 2013 142,398 miles

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

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

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

Pass 15 Jun 2012 142,361 miles
Fail 16 May 2012 142,367 miles

Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly (1.4.B.1e)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the left. (1.8)

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 28 Apr 2011 142,117 miles

advise general corrosion

Fail 28 Apr 2011 142,117 miles

Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

advise general corrosion

Pass 5 May 2010 141,740 miles

chip in windscreen

generall corrosion

Fail 20 Apr 2010 141,736 miles

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1) DANGEROUS

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1) DANGEROUS

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

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

chip in windscreen

generall corrosion

offside front brake slight binding

Pass 9 May 2009 140,740 miles

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

Fail 6 Apr 2009 140,730 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 Dec 2006 133,829 miles

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

some wear in steering rack

Fail 7 Dec 2006 133,829 miles

Front Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split (2.5.C.1a)

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

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

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

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

some wear in steering rack

Pass 8 Dec 2005 124,093 miles
Fail 8 Dec 2005 124,093 miles

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

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.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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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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J818 ARC is a 1992 Lotus Elan in Green with a 1,588cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 54.2%.

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 J818 ARC, 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 J818 ARC?

You can check the full history of J818 ARC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J818 ARC registered?

J818 ARC is a 1992 Lotus Elan, first registered on 2 April 1992.

Is J818 ARC safe to buy?

The MOT history for J818 ARC shows 24 tests with a 54.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J818 ARC 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 J818 ARC. 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.