CarVerify

Free Car Check

R422 ENE

1998 Lotus Elise

Yellow Petrol 1796cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires24 Apr 2026
Tests30 (19 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate63.3%

Mileage

71,685 mi
Last recorded71,685 miles
Recorded on25 Apr 2025
Typical for 1998 Lotus Elise48,523 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationR422 ENE
MakeLotus
ModelElise
Year1998
ColourYellow
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

19 pass 11 fail
Pass 25 Apr 2025 71,685 miles

Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 8 Apr 2025 71,634 miles

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

Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 11 Dec 2024 71,574 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Headlamp reflector slightly defective both (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 14 Dec 2023 70,610 miles

Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 13 Dec 2022 69,856 miles

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

Pass 16 Dec 2021 68,487 miles

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

Fail 15 Dec 2021 68,487 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Fail 3 Nov 2021 68,434 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Front Windscreen wiper blade defective smearing (3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 27 Oct 2020 66,914 miles
Fail 27 Oct 2020 66,914 miles

Rear Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (4.7.2 (a))

Pass 23 Oct 2019 65,512 miles

Advise corrosion to N/S and O/S Main brake pipes but are acceptable at this time

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 3 Oct 2018 62,945 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 1 Oct 2018 62,943 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 26 Sep 2018 62,891 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle by more than 50% Axle 1 (1.2.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened inner disc face grooved. (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

Pass 27 Sep 2017 60,459 miles
Pass 1 Oct 2016 58,371 miles
Fail 28 Sep 2016 58,371 miles

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

Pass 21 Oct 2015 56,390 miles
Pass 27 Oct 2014 54,555 miles

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

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

Pass 12 Sep 2013 52,721 miles

Coolant leak

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

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

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

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

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 19 Sep 2012 50,454 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

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

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

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

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

Pass 21 Sep 2011 47,142 miles

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

Front discs corroded on inner face

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

Pass 21 Oct 2010 43,522 miles

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

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

front inner discs rough

Fail 21 Oct 2010 43,522 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)

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

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

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

front inner discs rough

Pass 18 Nov 2009 40,415 miles
Pass 1 Oct 2008 37,223 miles

Advise on scoring to N/S/R Brake disc just acceptable.

Advise slight damage to front number plate.

Advise stone chip to windscreen but not in swept area.

Fail 26 Sep 2008 37,223 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Advise on scoring to N/S/R Brake disc just acceptable.

Advise slight damage to front number plate.

Advise stone chip to windscreen but not in swept area.

Pass 17 Aug 2007 33,214 miles
Pass 16 Jun 2006 29,288 miles
Fail 7 Jun 2006 29,266 miles

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

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

R422 ENE is a 1998 Lotus Elise in Yellow with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.3%.

Across all 1998 Lotus Elise models, the average MOT pass rate is 78.8% with a typical mileage of 48,523 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 R422 ENE, 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 28 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 R422 ENE?

You can check the full history of R422 ENE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R422 ENE registered?

R422 ENE is a 1998 Lotus Elise, first registered on 17 June 1998.

Is R422 ENE safe to buy?

The MOT history for R422 ENE shows 30 tests with a 63.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R422 ENE 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 R422 ENE. 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.