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R261 OPE

1997 Lotus Elise

Silver Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires16 Mar 2027
Tests15 (13 pass, 2 fail)
Pass rate86.7%

Mileage

6,964 mi
Last recorded6,964 miles
Recorded on17 Mar 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
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR261 OPE
MakeLotus
ModelElise
Year1997
ColourSilver
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

13 pass 2 fail
Pass 17 Mar 2026 6,964 miles
Fail 17 Mar 2026 6,958 miles

Emissions unable to be completed coolant leak (8.2.1.2 (d))

Coolant leak ()

Pass 31 Jul 2024 6,757 miles
Pass 11 Aug 2023 6,541 miles
Pass 16 Aug 2022 6,438 miles
Pass 9 Jul 2021 4,603 miles
Pass 27 Jul 2020 3,377 miles
Pass 28 Mar 2019 1,644 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 16 Mar 2018 1,309 miles
Pass 10 Mar 2017 971 miles
Pass 22 Mar 2016 631 miles
Pass 24 Mar 2015 223 miles
Fail 24 Mar 2015 223 miles

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off (1.4.B.1f)

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on (1.4.B.1f)

Pass 1 Apr 2014 23,349 miles
Pass 6 Nov 2012 22,939 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

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R261 OPE is a 1997 Lotus Elise in Silver with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 15 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 86.7%.

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 R261 OPE, 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 R261 OPE?

You can check the full history of R261 OPE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R261 OPE registered?

R261 OPE is a 1997 Lotus Elise, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is R261 OPE safe to buy?

The MOT history for R261 OPE shows 15 tests with a 86.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R261 OPE 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 R261 OPE. 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.