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R288 BVS

1997 Lotus Elise

Silver Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires24 Jul 2027
Tests21 (15 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate71.4%

Mileage

100,200 mi
Last recorded100,200 miles
Recorded on21 Jul 2026
Typical for 1997 Lotus Elise47,496 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Lotus
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR288 BVS
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

15 pass 6 fail
Pass 21 Jul 2026 100,200 miles
Pass 25 Jul 2025 97,625 miles
Fail 23 Jun 2025 97,601 miles

Battery insecure and likely to cause a short circuit (4.13 (a) (ii))

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (5.2.3 (i))

Offside Rear Inner Suspension rod attachment bracket/mounting damaged and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm damaged but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 28 May 2024 95,427 miles

Tested in wet conditions

Pass 8 Jun 2023 94,948 miles
Pass 12 Nov 2021 94,342 miles
Pass 26 Nov 2020 93,769 miles
Fail 17 Nov 2020 93,753 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 13 Aug 2015 93,554 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Pass 7 Aug 2014 92,302 miles

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Fail 24 Jul 2014 92,298 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 26 Nov 2012 91,890 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

offside rear tyre sidewall slightly damaged

Fail 22 Nov 2012 91,889 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

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

Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

offside rear tyre sidewall slightly damaged

Pass 23 Aug 2011 87,059 miles

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

rear brake discs in poor condition. o/s door mirror damaged

Fail 28 Jul 2011 87,056 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Front registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement (7.2.4b)

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

Nearside Front Wheel nut(s) missing (4.2.A.1e)

Nearside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Nearside Rear Wheel nut(s) missing (4.2.A.1e)

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

Offside Front Wheel nut(s) missing (4.2.A.1e)

Offside Rear Wheel nut(s) missing (4.2.A.1e)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

foglight switch poor operation

o/s door mirror cracked

poor contact o/s/f sidelight

rear brake discs corroded and poor condition

Pass 2 Aug 2010 83,982 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 14 Jan 2009 83,904 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Fail 19 Dec 2008 83,733 miles

Front registration plate missing (6.3.1a)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order (not working) (1.2.4a)

Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Pass 14 Jan 2008 72,385 miles
Pass 28 Dec 2006 64,069 miles
Pass 13 Jan 2006 55,591 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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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.

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R288 BVS is a 1997 Lotus Elise in Silver with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 21 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 71.4%.

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 a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

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 R288 BVS, 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 R288 BVS?

You can check the full history of R288 BVS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R288 BVS registered?

R288 BVS is a 1997 Lotus Elise, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is R288 BVS safe to buy?

The MOT history for R288 BVS shows 21 tests with a 71.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R288 BVS 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 R288 BVS. 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.