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P121 MKO

1997 Lotus Elise

Red Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires24 Feb 2018
Tests18 (11 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate61.1%

Mileage

141,090 mi
Last recorded141,090 miles
Recorded on25 Feb 2017
Typical for 1997 Lotus Elise47,496 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Lotus
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP121 MKO
MakeLotus
ModelElise
Year1997
ColourRed
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

11 pass 7 fail
Pass 25 Feb 2017 141,090 miles

Nearside steering rack gaiter deteriorated

steering system slightly rough

Fail 10 Jan 2017 141,084 miles

Dipswitch operation does not deflect all main beam headlamps to make them dipped beams (1.7.4b)

Dipswitch operation does not extinguish all main beam headlamps leaving at least one pair of dipped beam headlamps (1.7.4b)

Exhaust catalytic converter missing where one was fitted as standard (7.1.3)

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear Inner Tie bar/rod attachment bracket/mounting fractured (2.4.G.1) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Sub-frame fractured (2.4.G.1) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting fractured (2.4.G.1) DANGEROUS

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Steering system slightly rough (2.2.D.1)

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

Pass 2 Feb 2016 134,666 miles

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

Nearside Rear Upper Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint outer (2.4.G.2)

Nearside front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

slight play in nearside steering rack inner joint

Fail 2 Feb 2016 134,666 miles

Exhaust catalytic converter missing where one was fitted as standard (7.1.3)

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)

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

Nearside Rear Upper Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint outer (2.4.G.2)

Nearside front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

slight play in nearside steering rack inner joint

Pass 22 Jan 2015 125,311 miles

Front front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

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

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

Pass 22 Jan 2014 110,275 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 22 Jan 2013 100,177 miles

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

Pass 22 Sep 2011 96,396 miles
Fail 19 Sep 2011 96,396 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 has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front registration plate missing (6.3.1a)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

front floor/undertray slightly damaged

offside headlamp beam pattern poor

Pass 31 Aug 2011 95,838 miles
Pass 22 Sep 2010 93,428 miles
Fail 26 Aug 2010 93,410 miles

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

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

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

front brakes release unevenly (3.7.B.4)

center stop light not fully working

free play at steering wheel

front undertray/floors damaged

slight play in nearside front top suspension joint

Pass 19 Jun 2009 82,259 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

Offside Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

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

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Slight knock from o/s/f when braking, nothing found at time of test.

Slight play in both steering rack arms.

Fail 12 Jun 2009 82,253 miles

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

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

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Front registration plate missing (6.3.1a)

Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

Offside Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

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

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Slight play in both steering rack arms.

Pass 11 Jun 2008 77,331 miles

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

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

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

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

undertray fitted, nothing visible.

Fail 5 Jun 2008 77,317 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Offside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

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

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

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

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

Pass 4 Apr 2007 71,538 miles
Fail 30 Mar 2007 71,538 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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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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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P121 MKO is a 1997 Lotus Elise in Red with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 18 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.1%.

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 P121 MKO, 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 P121 MKO?

You can check the full history of P121 MKO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P121 MKO registered?

P121 MKO is a 1997 Lotus Elise, first registered on 22 May 1997.

Is P121 MKO safe to buy?

The MOT history for P121 MKO shows 18 tests with a 61.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P121 MKO 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 P121 MKO. 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.