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N31 MPS

1997 Lotus Elise

Green Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Dec 2026
Tests28 (20 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate71.4%

Mileage

48,636 mi
Last recorded48,636 miles
Recorded on3 Dec 2025
Typical for 1997 Lotus Elise47,496 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

RegistrationN31 MPS
MakeLotus
ModelElise
Year1997
ColourGreen
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

20 pass 8 fail
Pass 3 Dec 2025 48,636 miles
Pass 10 Dec 2024 48,220 miles
Fail 28 Nov 2024 48,220 miles

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))

Pass 4 Dec 2023 47,912 miles
Pass 1 Dec 2022 47,346 miles
Pass 25 Nov 2021 46,779 miles
Fail 25 Nov 2021 46,779 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Pass 19 Nov 2020 46,180 miles
Pass 4 Dec 2019 45,870 miles

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Fail 3 Dec 2019 45,870 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 21 Nov 2018 45,263 miles
Fail 21 Nov 2018 45,263 miles

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))

Fail 15 Nov 2018 45,225 miles

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

Pass 11 Aug 2017 44,801 miles

Unable to check all components due to under trays

Pass 18 Aug 2016 44,179 miles

slight play in both front wheel bearings

Pass 21 Aug 2015 43,747 miles

Anti-roll bar synthetic mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Centre Stop lamp has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.2.1b)

Inner rack joints worn

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Wheel Bearing noisy when rotated

Offside Rear Wheel bearing noisy when rotated

Fail 21 Aug 2015 43,747 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Anti-roll bar synthetic mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Centre Stop lamp has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.2.1b)

Inner rack joints worn

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Wheel Bearing noisy when rotated

Offside Rear Wheel bearing noisy when rotated

Fail 1 Sep 2014 42,461 miles

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

slight play at steering rack at n/s

slight play in steering rrack at o/s

Pass 1 Sep 2014 42,461 miles

slight play at steering rack at n/s

slight play in steering rrack at o/s

Pass 29 Aug 2013 41,785 miles

o/s rear number plate light comes on when tapped

slight play in steering rack and a twist in the n/s rack gaiter

tightnes in both front roll bar drop links

Pass 30 Aug 2012 40,968 miles
Pass 17 Jun 2011 39,624 miles
Fail 17 Jun 2011 39,624 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 11 Jun 2010 38,570 miles

both front tyres worn on inside edges

slight play at steering rack n/s and o/s

Pass 10 Jun 2009 37,832 miles

BOTH FRONT TYRES WEARING UNEVEN ON INSDE EDGE

SLIGHT PLAY AT STEERING RACK N/S AND O/S,INNER TRACK ROD SEATS

Pass 14 Jun 2008 36,284 miles

Nearside Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

SLIGHT PLAY AT STEERING RACK O/S

brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 6 Jun 2007 34,706 miles
Pass 5 Jun 2006 33,128 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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N31 MPS is a 1997 Lotus Elise in Green with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 71.4%.

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 N31 MPS, 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 N31 MPS?

You can check the full history of N31 MPS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N31 MPS registered?

N31 MPS is a 1997 Lotus Elise, first registered on 1 February 1997.

Is N31 MPS safe to buy?

The MOT history for N31 MPS 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 N31 MPS 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 N31 MPS. 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.