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J978 BHJ

1992 Lotus Elan

Black Petrol 1588cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires10 May 2025
Tests24 (14 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate58.3%

Mileage

122,988 mi
Last recorded122,988 miles
Recorded on2 May 2024
Typical for 1992 Lotus Elan76,086 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationJ978 BHJ
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

14 pass 10 fail
Pass 2 May 2024 122,988 miles
Pass 11 May 2023 122,799 miles
Fail 11 May 2023 122,799 miles

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

Offside Front Headlamp are incorrectly positioned wont open (4.1.4 (a))

Pass 18 Jan 2022 121,797 miles
Pass 26 Oct 2017 121,173 miles

Rear various susp arms rusty..

Fail 28 Sep 2017 121,150 miles

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

All tyres slightly misshaped

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

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Inner Front drive shaft coupling is slightly worn joint near support bearing (2.5.C.1c)

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

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 24 Aug 2016 121,138 miles
Fail 23 Aug 2016 121,128 miles

Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

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

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

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

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)

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Pass 27 Aug 2015 121,009 miles
Pass 2 Jun 2014 120,996 miles
Fail 29 May 2014 120,991 miles

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

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Front drive shaft coupling bearing fastener insecure (2.5.C.2b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Pass 18 Nov 2013 119,271 miles

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

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

Fail 18 Nov 2013 119,271 miles

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside rear parking (secondary) brakes imbalanced (3.7.B.6b)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

OSR parking brake lever partialy siezed

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

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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 23 Nov 2012 112,654 miles
Fail 22 Nov 2012 112,654 miles

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

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

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

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

Parking brake: parking 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)

Pass 5 Oct 2011 111,752 miles
Fail 5 Oct 2011 111,752 miles

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Pass 12 Jul 2010 106,793 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

front registration plate cracked

Pass 17 Jul 2009 94,241 miles
Fail 17 Jul 2009 94,241 miles

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

Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)

noise from timing belt/drive belt area

one offside washer jet not working

Pass 17 Jul 2008 89,424 miles
Fail 4 Jul 2008 89,423 miles

Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Pass 22 May 2007 89,401 miles
Fail 3 May 2007 89,394 miles

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

Nearside Inner Front Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Inner Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

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

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

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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J978 BHJ is a 1992 Lotus Elan in Black with a 1,588cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.3%.

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 J978 BHJ, 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 J978 BHJ?

You can check the full history of J978 BHJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J978 BHJ registered?

J978 BHJ is a 1992 Lotus Elan, first registered on 30 December 1992.

Is J978 BHJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for J978 BHJ shows 24 tests with a 58.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J978 BHJ 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 J978 BHJ. 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.