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R778 TBL

1998 Lotus Elise

Green Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires31 May 2027
Tests24 (13 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate54.2%

Mileage

122,629 mi
Last recorded122,629 miles
Recorded on1 Jun 2026
Typical for 1998 Lotus Elise48,523 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Lotus
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR778 TBL
MakeLotus
ModelElise
Year1998
ColourGreen
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 11 fail
Pass 1 Jun 2026 122,629 miles

Exhaust emissions only just met the requirements.

Nearside Front Inner Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing In the tread. (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing In the tread. (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Inner Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing In the tread. (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing In the tread. (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 6 Nov 2025 122,607 miles

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

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side only recording 12kgs (1.4.1 (a))

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

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

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Wearing inner edge & on 3.5mm tread. (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Cracking in tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge wearing inner edge & on 2.5mm tread (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Cracking in tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 2 Sep 2024 122,319 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm & wearing on the inner edge. (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing in the tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm & wearing on the inner edge. (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing in the tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 17 Jun 2024 122,266 miles

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))

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

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Front pipe flexi (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3.5mm & wearing on the inner edge. (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing in the tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm & wearing on the inner edge. (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing in the tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 18 Sep 2017 122,206 miles

Front both wearing on inner edges

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

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

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

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Offside Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

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

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

Pass 20 Sep 2016 121,290 miles

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Fail 18 Jul 2016 121,276 miles

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

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 30 Jun 2015 120,659 miles

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Fail 14 May 2015 120,605 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 15 May 2014 120,300 miles

Both rear tyres wearing on inner edges.

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

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

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

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

Slight play in offsude steering rack.

Pass 15 May 2014 120,300 miles

Both rear tyres wearing on inner edges.

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)

Slight play in offsude steering rack.

Pass 17 Apr 2013 118,922 miles

slight play in the steering rack

Fail 15 Apr 2013 118,893 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

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

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

slight play in the steering rack

Pass 2 Apr 2012 116,809 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 20 Mar 2012 116,758 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 Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 18 Mar 2011 113,998 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

all brake discs slighty rusty/corroding

chips in windscreen

Fail 17 Feb 2011 113,998 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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)

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

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim not tested (1.8.A.1c)

Nearside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Headlamp aim not tested (1.8.A.1c)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

all discs heavily corroded

chips in screen

slight play in n/s/r bearing

Pass 25 Nov 2009 107,096 miles

All brake disks have hevey corrosion

Front pads on the N/S/F getting low

N/S/F wheel noisey when spun

N/S/R wheel is noise when spun

O/S/R tyre is on the legal limit of 1.6 mm

O/S/R wheel is buckled

Slight play in N/S/F wheel bearing

Slight play in N/S/R wheel bearing

Slight play in o/s/f wheel (steering rack)

all brake discs heavily corroded

bonnet missing

complete under side of vehicle is covered

poor fitting headlamps

Fail 23 Nov 2009 107,096 miles

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

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Front registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage (6.1.C.1)

All brake disks have hevey corrosion

Front pads on the N/S/F getting low

N/S/F wheel noisey when spun

N/S/R wheel is noise when spun

O/S/R tyre is on the legal limit of 1.6 mm

O/S/R wheel is buckled

Slight play in N/S/F wheel bearing

Slight play in N/S/R wheel bearing

Slight play in o/s/f wheel (steering rack)

complete under side of vehicle is covered

Pass 4 Aug 2008 95,177 miles

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

Full under trays fitted

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

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Fail 4 Aug 2008 95,176 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Front Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

C/O NOT TESTED

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

Full under trays fitted

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

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Pass 24 Apr 2007 82,903 miles
Fail 20 Apr 2007 82,890 miles

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

Nearside Rear Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

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

Pass 10 Feb 2006 70,505 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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R778 TBL is a 1998 Lotus Elise in Green with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 54.2%.

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 R778 TBL, 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 R778 TBL?

You can check the full history of R778 TBL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R778 TBL registered?

R778 TBL is a 1998 Lotus Elise, first registered on 23 February 1998.

Is R778 TBL safe to buy?

The MOT history for R778 TBL shows 24 tests with a 54.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R778 TBL 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 R778 TBL. 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.