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J823 RPL

1992 Lotus Elan

Green Petrol 1588cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires24 May 2026
Tests28 (16 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate57.1%

Mileage

83,588 mi
Last recorded83,588 miles
Recorded on15 May 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

RegistrationJ823 RPL
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

16 pass 12 fail
Pass 15 May 2025 83,588 miles
Fail 12 May 2025 83,586 miles

Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (1.3.1 (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

Pass 10 May 2024 82,204 miles

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

Fail 9 May 2024 82,204 miles

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

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

Main beam headlights aim too high

Fail 29 Apr 2024 82,120 miles

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

Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

Pass 25 May 2023 80,464 miles

Offside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

rear exhaust rusty

Pass 23 Jul 2022 78,219 miles

All rear brake readings poor

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

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

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All rear brake pipes, grease (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 20 Jul 2021 76,387 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All rear pipes, grease (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

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

Rear service brake readings poor

Fail 19 Jul 2021 76,387 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All rear pipes, grease (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

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

Rear service brake readings poor

Pass 17 Aug 2020 71,622 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All rear pipes, covered in underseal (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Rear service brake readings low

Fail 15 Aug 2020 71,622 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (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))

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All rear pipes, covered in underseal (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Rear service brake readings low

Fail 20 Jul 2020 71,548 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

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

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

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

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

All brake pipes covered in under-seal

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Centre to rear exhaust clamp missing

Fail 16 Aug 2019 71,540 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions Direction Of Rotation (5.2.3 (i))

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

Central Rear Engine mounting excessively loose (6.1.8 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.5 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Wheel bearing play so excessive it is likely to break up (5.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated Not Held In Bracket (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Upper Ball Joint Mounting Bolts Only Just Sufficient

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated Not Held In Bracket (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly twisted (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Offside Front Upper Ball Joint Mounting Bolts Only Just Sufficient

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

Pass 25 Apr 2018 71,470 miles
Fail 24 Apr 2018 75,000 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Pass 21 Mar 2017 71,446 miles

all tyres have age related cracking on outer walls

Pass 13 Jun 2016 71,432 miles
Fail 10 Jun 2016 71,404 miles

Nearside Body or chassis is damaged, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings floor (6.1.B.2)

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

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

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

Pass 16 Apr 2014 71,192 miles
Fail 15 Apr 2014 71,192 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

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

Fail 23 Jan 2013 71,132 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Front Track rod end excessively corroded and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

Offside Front Track rod end excessively corroded and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Fail 18 Jan 2013 71,112 miles

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

Front registration plate missing (6.3.1a)

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

Nearside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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 Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Side repeater missing (1.4.A.2b)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8) DANGEROUS

Pass 17 Sep 2011 70,823 miles
Pass 25 Sep 2010 70,748 miles
Pass 19 Sep 2009 70,457 miles
Pass 13 Sep 2008 69,954 miles
Pass 20 Aug 2007 69,325 miles
Pass 25 Mar 2006 68,878 miles

Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order but not adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

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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J823 RPL is a 1992 Lotus Elan in Green with a 1,588cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.1%.

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 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 J823 RPL, 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 J823 RPL?

You can check the full history of J823 RPL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J823 RPL registered?

J823 RPL is a 1992 Lotus Elan, first registered on 30 December 1992.

Is J823 RPL safe to buy?

The MOT history for J823 RPL shows 28 tests with a 57.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J823 RPL 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 J823 RPL. 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.