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LJ51 YCU

2001 Lotus Elise

Blue Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires4 Jan 2027
Tests27 (16 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate59.3%

Mileage

98,740 mi
Last recorded98,740 miles
Recorded on5 Jan 2026
Typical for 2001 Lotus Elise38,622 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationLJ51 YCU
MakeLotus
ModelElise
Year2001
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,796cc

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 11 fail
Pass 5 Jan 2026 98,740 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 1 Nov 2024 98,050 miles

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

Pass 17 Apr 2023 97,763 miles
Fail 6 Apr 2023 97,759 miles

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Pass 7 Apr 2022 97,470 miles

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

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Fail 24 Sep 2021 97,469 miles

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))

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

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle by more than 50% (1.2.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Pass 11 Oct 2016 96,147 miles
Pass 29 Dec 2015 93,535 miles
Pass 23 Dec 2014 91,518 miles

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

Fail 17 Dec 2014 91,518 miles

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 5 Dec 2013 87,517 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 4 Dec 2013 87,508 miles

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2) DANGEROUS

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 28 Nov 2012 80,992 miles
Fail 27 Nov 2012 80,992 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Pass 8 Dec 2011 73,271 miles

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 5 Dec 2011 73,270 miles

Brake pedal spongy (3.3.B.1b)

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)

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)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 22 Nov 2011 73,189 miles

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)

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 too high (1.8)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) locking device missing (3.5.1l)

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

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

Pass 23 Nov 2010 61,229 miles

brake master cylinder and servo not fully checked cover by service plate

slight inbalance in front brakes of 7%

suspension mounting,brake pipes and chassis cannot be fully checked because of cover plates on under side of vehicle

Pass 1 Dec 2009 52,748 miles
Fail 25 Nov 2009 52,744 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Registration plate lamp not illuminating the registration plate (1.1.C.1e)

Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 12 Dec 2008 43,655 miles
Fail 10 Dec 2008 43,654 miles

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

Front Windscreen wiper blade insecure (8.2.2)

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Pass 18 Dec 2007 38,807 miles
Fail 17 Dec 2007 38,807 miles

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

Pass 12 Dec 2006 33,510 miles

Nearside Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Fail 5 Dec 2006 33,508 miles

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

Nearside Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 24 Jul 2006 29,017 miles

How Reliable is the Lotus Elise?

Based on 150,954 MOT tests across 12,302 vehicles.

81.8%
Pass Rate
1,309
Miles/Year
30
Year Lifespan
12,302
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 3,173
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 3,131
Headlamp aim too high 3,014
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 2,630
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive 1,898
Full Lotus Elise reliability report

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LJ51 YCU is a 2001 Lotus Elise in Blue with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.3%.

Across all 2001 Lotus Elise models, the average MOT pass rate is 82.1% with a typical mileage of 38,622 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 Elise fails its MOT is exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive, accounting for 3,173 recorded failures. If you're considering buying LJ51 YCU, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Lotus Elise typically stays on UK roads for around 30 years. At 25 years old, this Lotus Elise is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of LJ51 YCU?

You can check the full history of LJ51 YCU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was LJ51 YCU registered?

LJ51 YCU is a 2001 Lotus Elise, first registered on 1 September 2001.

Is LJ51 YCU safe to buy?

The MOT history for LJ51 YCU shows 27 tests with a 59.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does LJ51 YCU 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 LJ51 YCU. 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.