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PMF 397L

1971 Lotus Elan

Red Petrol 1558cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires21 Oct 2026
Tests14 (13 pass, 1 fail)
Pass rate92.9%

Mileage

45,124 mi
Last recorded45,124 miles
Recorded on22 Oct 2025
Typical for 1971 Lotus Elan49,460 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

RegistrationPMF 397L
MakeLotus
ModelElan
Year1971
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,558cc

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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

13 pass 1 fail
Pass 22 Oct 2025 45,124 miles
Pass 12 Oct 2018 45,091 miles

Central Front Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 12 Oct 2018 45,091 miles

Central Front Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 18 Jul 2017 45,012 miles
Pass 5 Jul 2016 44,930 miles
Pass 8 Apr 2015 44,682 miles
Pass 9 Apr 2014 44,463 miles
Pass 16 Apr 2013 44,249 miles
Pass 27 Mar 2012 44,203 miles
Pass 29 Jul 2010 44,094 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Offside rear brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.5b)

Oil leak

Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.1.2c)

Pass 1 Jul 2009 43,903 miles
Pass 31 Jul 2008 43,703 miles
Pass 18 Jun 2007 43,361 miles
Pass 23 Jun 2006 43,161 miles

How Reliable is the Lotus Elan?

Based on 51,097 MOT tests across 4,280 vehicles.

77.4%
Pass Rate
554
Miles/Year
59
Year Lifespan
4,280
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 2,585
brake recording little or no effort 1,342
parking brake recording little or no effort 1,318
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 927
brake binding 845
Full Lotus Elan reliability report

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PMF 397L is a 1971 Lotus Elan in Red with a 1,558cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 14 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 92.9%.

Across all 1971 Lotus Elan models, the average MOT pass rate is 85.9% with a typical mileage of 49,460 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Lotus Elan fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 2,585 recorded failures. If you're considering buying PMF 397L, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Lotus Elan typically stays on UK roads for around 59 years. At 55 years old, this Lotus Elan is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of PMF 397L?

You can check the full history of PMF 397L by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was PMF 397L registered?

PMF 397L is a 1971 Lotus Elan, first registered on 31 December 1971.

Is PMF 397L safe to buy?

The MOT history for PMF 397L shows 14 tests with a 92.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does PMF 397L 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 PMF 397L. 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.