CarVerify

Free Car Check

P27 JAY

1998 Lotus Esprit

Red Petrol 3506cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires4 Apr 2027
Tests24 (20 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate83.3%

Mileage

66,201 mi
Last recorded66,201 miles
Recorded on4 Apr 2026
Typical for 1998 Lotus Esprit48,579 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationP27 JAY
MakeLotus
ModelEsprit
Year1998
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,506cc

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 4 fail
Pass 4 Apr 2026 66,201 miles
Pass 5 Apr 2025 65,473 miles
Pass 23 Mar 2024 64,984 miles
Pass 17 Dec 2022 64,535 miles
Pass 18 Dec 2021 63,662 miles
Pass 28 Nov 2020 62,672 miles
Pass 29 Nov 2019 61,565 miles
Pass 17 Nov 2018 60,383 miles
Pass 7 Nov 2017 59,114 miles
Fail 6 Nov 2017 59,105 miles

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Inner edge badly worn (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

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

Both inner main beam headlamps do not function

Pass 19 Nov 2016 57,969 miles
Pass 12 Nov 2015 56,381 miles
Pass 17 Nov 2014 54,949 miles

Both rear tyres are worn thin on inner edges

Fail 10 Nov 2014 54,946 miles

Front registration plate has a feature which changes the appearance or legibility of the characters (6.3.4c)

Front registration plate incorrect (6.3.1a)

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

Both rear tyres are worn thin on inner edges

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

CONTINUED With original lights as fitted as standard

Dipped beam headlamps are fitted with HID lights when main beam is turned on these lights go out.Due to the nature of HID headlamps take time to work fully it is advised to make them on permanantly whem main beam is turned on or replace light with

Pass 5 Oct 2013 53,581 miles

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)

Pass 22 Sep 2012 52,001 miles
Pass 24 Sep 2011 50,159 miles
Pass 22 Sep 2010 48,176 miles
Fail 20 Sep 2010

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

Front Position lamp switch faulty (1.1.A.1)

Pass 12 Sep 2009 46,696 miles
Pass 6 Sep 2008 45,526 miles
Fail 6 Sep 2008 45,526 miles

Rear Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

Pass 8 Sep 2007 44,061 miles
Pass 15 Jul 2006 41,741 miles

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

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

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

P27 JAY is a 1998 Lotus Esprit in Red with a 3,506cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 83.3%.

Across all 1998 Lotus Esprit models, the average MOT pass rate is 85.0% with a typical mileage of 48,579 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 P27 JAY, 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 28 years old, this Lotus Esprit is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of P27 JAY?

You can check the full history of P27 JAY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P27 JAY registered?

P27 JAY is a 1998 Lotus Esprit, first registered on 16 October 1998.

Is P27 JAY safe to buy?

The MOT history for P27 JAY shows 24 tests with a 83.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P27 JAY 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 P27 JAY. 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.