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R185 TUM

1998 Lotus Esprit

Red Petrol 1974cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires12 Aug 2026
Tests13 (12 pass, 1 fail)
Pass rate92.3%

Mileage

38,869 mi
Last recorded38,869 miles
Recorded on13 Aug 2025
Typical for 1998 Lotus Esprit48,579 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

RegistrationR185 TUM
MakeLotus
ModelEsprit
Year1998
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,974cc

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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

12 pass 1 fail
Pass 13 Aug 2025 38,869 miles

All headlamp reflectors deteriorated (4)

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Suspension components corroded.

Pass 7 Sep 2021 38,368 miles
Pass 10 Aug 2018 38,203 miles

Front suspension components corroded

Headlamp reflector slightly defective all deteriorated/corroded (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Pass 21 Aug 2013 37,996 miles

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

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

brake pipes greased unable to check fully

Pass 22 Aug 2012 37,320 miles

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

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

all brake pipes greased unable to check properly

Pass 25 Aug 2011 36,972 miles
Pass 28 Sep 2010 36,680 miles
Pass 28 Sep 2009 36,166 miles
Pass 25 Sep 2008 33,889 miles

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

Fail 23 Sep 2008 33,889 miles

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

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

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

brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Pass 1 Oct 2007 32,811 miles
Pass 12 Sep 2006 30,183 miles
Pass 7 Sep 2005 26,419 miles

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

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

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R185 TUM is a 1998 Lotus Esprit in Red with a 1,974cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 13 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 92.3%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 R185 TUM, 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 R185 TUM?

You can check the full history of R185 TUM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R185 TUM registered?

R185 TUM is a 1998 Lotus Esprit, first registered on 8 June 1998.

Is R185 TUM safe to buy?

The MOT history for R185 TUM shows 13 tests with a 92.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R185 TUM 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 R185 TUM. 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.