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LDP 136W

1981 Lotus Esprit

Black Petrol 2174cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires10 Sep 2026
Tests28 (20 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate71.4%

Mileage

39,287 mi
Last recorded39,287 miles
Recorded on11 Sep 2025
Typical for 1981 Lotus Esprit54,457 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

RegistrationLDP 136W
MakeLotus
ModelEsprit
Year1981
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,174cc

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 8 fail
Pass 11 Sep 2025 39,287 miles

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

headlamp output poor

wipers poor

Pass 19 Aug 2024 38,697 miles

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Headlamp output poor

Near side front brake hose fouling wheel on full lock when jacked up

Nearside Drive shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Wipers smearing slightly

Pass 30 Aug 2023 37,908 miles
Pass 4 Aug 2022 37,322 miles
Pass 9 Aug 2021 35,313 miles

Nearside Rear Parking brake is poor and requiring attention

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

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

Pass 6 Aug 2020 33,929 miles

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

Pass 24 Jun 2019 32,937 miles
Pass 4 Jun 2018 30,281 miles
Pass 9 May 2017 29,120 miles
Pass 26 Apr 2016 27,911 miles

Both rear tyres perished and split.

Slight blow from rear exhaust joint/pipe.

Fail 20 Apr 2016 27,911 miles

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Both rear tyres perished and split.

Play in rear uj's.

Slight blow from rear exhaust joint/pipe.

Fail 18 Mar 2016 27,858 miles

Nearside Rear Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has excessive play in a universal joint (2.4.G.4b)

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has excessive play in a universal joint (2.4.G.4b)

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

undertrays on vehicle not allowing full inspection

windscreen wiper poor

Pass 5 Mar 2015 26,921 miles
Pass 19 Mar 2014 26,519 miles

Drivers seatbelt frayed on edges.

Front wiper blade split.

Movement in both rear inner uj's.

Fail 12 Mar 2013 25,361 miles

Nearside Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

slight play in inner and outer driveshaft u/j's

Pass 12 Mar 2013 25,361 miles

slight play in inner and outer driveshaft u/j's

Pass 3 Mar 2012 24,396 miles

both rear drive shaft outer uj worn

Pass 17 Mar 2011 23,306 miles
Fail 2 Mar 2011 23,305 miles

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

Offside Inner Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings (2.2.B.1h)

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

Pass 2 Mar 2010 21,022 miles

Both front seatbelts slightly frayed

Slight blow from rear exhaust flexi

Fail 2 Mar 2010 21,022 miles

Both front seatbelts slightly frayed

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

Slight blow from rear exhaust flexi

Pass 3 Mar 2009 18,065 miles
Fail 3 Mar 2009 18,064 miles

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

Pass 25 Feb 2008 16,061 miles

Lower suspension arm bushes perished

Slight play in offside rear hub

Slight play in steering column

Pass 20 Oct 2006 14,194 miles
Fail 19 Oct 2006 14,194 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Pass 20 Jun 2005 13,597 miles
Fail 20 Jun 2005 13,597 miles

Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Slight leak from exhaust flexi joint

Slight play in both driveshaft UJ's

How Reliable is the Lotus Esprit?

Based on 25,410 MOT tests across 2,324 vehicles.

80.6%
Pass Rate
515
Miles/Year
50
Year Lifespan
2,324
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 624
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 464
brake binding 455
parking brake recording little or no effort 332
Headlamp aim too low 326
Full Lotus Esprit 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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LDP 136W is a 1981 Lotus Esprit in Black with a 2,174cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 71.4%.

Across all 1981 Lotus Esprit models, the average MOT pass rate is 81.9% with a typical mileage of 54,457 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 Esprit fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 624 recorded failures. If you're considering buying LDP 136W, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Lotus Esprit typically stays on UK roads for around 50 years. At 45 years old, this Lotus Esprit is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of LDP 136W?

You can check the full history of LDP 136W by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was LDP 136W registered?

LDP 136W is a 1981 Lotus Esprit, first registered on 24 July 1981.

Is LDP 136W safe to buy?

The MOT history for LDP 136W shows 28 tests with a 71.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does LDP 136W 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 LDP 136W. 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.