CarVerify

Free Car Check

M16 TUS

1997 Lotus Elise

Silver Petrol 1796cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Aug 2027
Tests33 (19 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate57.6%

Mileage

91,680 mi
Last recorded91,680 miles
Recorded on16 Jul 2026
Typical for 1997 Lotus Elise47,496 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Lotus
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationM16 TUS
MakeLotus
ModelElise
Year1997
ColourSilver
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

19 pass 14 fail
Pass 16 Jul 2026 91,680 miles

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) Both sides

Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both offside, worse (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Both wearing on inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Arm front mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 16 Jul 2025 91,214 miles

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 15 Aug 2024 90,583 miles

Nearside Front Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

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

Fail 7 Aug 2024 90,582 miles

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.12 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Brake pipe at imminent risk of failure or fracture (1.1.11 (a)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Brake hose damaged and likely to fail (1.1.12 (a)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Offside Front Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (i))

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

Pass 28 Jun 2023 89,930 miles

Nearside DTRL inop

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Fail 27 Jun 2023 89,929 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Headlamp aim unable to be tested (4.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced dip and main (4.1.4 (a))

Nearside DTRL inop

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 31 Mar 2022 89,255 miles
Fail 30 Mar 2022 89,255 miles

All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits 0.52 (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits 0.92 (8.2.1.2 (b))

Front Registration plate missing (0.1 (a))

Hazard warning switch inoperative faulty- various combinations (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

Pass 8 Apr 2021 87,824 miles

Front Registration plate insecure but not likely to fall off rivets in mtg brkts pulling through (0.1 (a))

Fail 5 Apr 2021 87,824 miles

All direction indicators not working intermittent / affected by hazard switch (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Bonnet primary retaining device ineffective not releasing bonnet / unable to check vin plate (3.1 (c))

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits 0.5 (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Front Registration plate insecure but not likely to fall off rivets in mtg brkts pulling through (0.1 (a))

Fail 27 Nov 2020 87,804 miles

Nearside Brake pipe excessively corroded Front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded M/C to hose (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Arm front bush attachment (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Inner Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) Quite bad

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Offside Front Position lamp not working Fallen out of lamp (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin Remaining pads (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge All worn on inner edges (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 29 Nov 2019 85,245 miles

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

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Arm, forward mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.2.2 (b))

Fail 29 Nov 2019 85,238 miles

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

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (4.4.1 (e))

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Headlamp switch sticking on

Nearside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Arm, forward mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.2.2 (b))

Pass 7 Nov 2018 81,799 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin 4k (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened rusty poor condition inner face (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened rusty. poor condition inner face (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin 2k (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) needs attention

Fail 5 Nov 2018 81,799 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Service brake lagging in operation poor surface contact (1.2.1 (d))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle 52% (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen blocked (3.5 (a))

Passenger's seat insecure bolt missing (6.2.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin 4k (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened rusty poor condition inner face (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened rusty. poor condition inner face (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin 2k (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) needs attention

Pass 1 Sep 2017 78,188 miles

Both headlights aiming slightly high advise to slacken off seized adjusters and have re-tested sometime.

Both steering track rod inner balljoints have slight wear/play.

Offside Front suspension anti-roll bar link has slight wear/play (possible knocking)

Offside Rear Upper suspension balljoint has slight wear/play.

Fail 27 Jul 2017 78,171 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)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement saddle bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Valve stem slightly damaged (4.1.D.1e)

Fail 3 Jul 2017 78,077 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement saddle bushes (2.4.G.2)

Front s/rack drum sticks slight play both sides

Rear rear tyres nearing wear ind both sides

Pass 18 Jul 2016 71,330 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit inner edge (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit inner edge (4.1.E.1)

slight play in steering track rods at drumstick end

Fail 13 Jul 2016 71,226 miles

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

rear brake application uneven o/s low (3.7.B.2)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit inner edge (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit inner edge (4.1.E.1)

slight play in steering track rods at drumstick end

Pass 17 Jul 2015 67,739 miles
Fail 10 Jul 2015 67,733 miles

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

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

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

Pass 1 Sep 2014 67,582 miles
Pass 13 Aug 2013 66,973 miles
Pass 12 Jun 2012 65,197 miles

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

Fail 12 Jun 2012 65,197 miles

Nearside Rear Wheel bolt(s) loose (4.2.A.1e)

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

Pass 23 Jul 2010 59,412 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Fail 23 Jul 2010 59,412 miles

Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 15 Aug 2009 58,171 miles
Pass 11 Aug 2008 55,080 miles
Pass 10 Aug 2007 52,932 miles
Fail 18 Jul 2006 46,123 miles

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

Pass 18 Jul 2006 46,123 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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

M16 TUS is a 1997 Lotus Elise in Silver with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.6%.

Across all 1997 Lotus Elise models, the average MOT pass rate is 78.3% with a typical mileage of 47,496 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 M16 TUS, 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 29 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 M16 TUS?

You can check the full history of M16 TUS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was M16 TUS registered?

M16 TUS is a 1997 Lotus Elise, first registered on 8 August 1997.

Is M16 TUS safe to buy?

The MOT history for M16 TUS shows 33 tests with a 57.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does M16 TUS 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 M16 TUS. 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.