CarVerify

Free Car Check

R171 VLT

1997 Lotus Elise

Blue Petrol 1796cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires13 Aug 2027
Tests10 (10 pass, 0 fail)
Pass rate100%

Mileage

16,765 mi
Last recorded16,765 miles
Recorded on12 Aug 2026
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
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

RegistrationR171 VLT
MakeLotus
ModelElise
Year1997
ColourBlue
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

10 pass
Pass 12 Aug 2026 16,765 miles
Pass 5 Aug 2025 16,689 miles
Pass 5 Aug 2024 16,093 miles
Pass 14 Aug 2023 15,584 miles
Pass 13 May 2019 15,342 miles
Pass 19 Sep 2014 14,858 miles

Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is slightly worn (3.1.5)

Pass 20 Mar 2009 14,360 miles
Pass 11 Mar 2008 13,358 miles
Pass 14 Mar 2007 12,679 miles
Pass 1 Mar 2006 11,972 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

R171 VLT is a 1997 Lotus Elise in Blue with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 10 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 100%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 R171 VLT, 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 R171 VLT?

You can check the full history of R171 VLT by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R171 VLT registered?

R171 VLT is a 1997 Lotus Elise, first registered on 17 September 1997.

Is R171 VLT safe to buy?

The MOT history for R171 VLT shows 10 tests with a 100% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R171 VLT 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 R171 VLT. 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.