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R796 ENM

1998 Lotus Elise

Red Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Jun 2027
Tests28 (21 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate75%

Mileage

138,941 mi
Last recorded138,941 miles
Recorded on10 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
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR796 ENM
MakeLotus
ModelElise
Year1998
ColourRed
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

21 pass 7 fail
Pass 10 Jun 2026 138,941 miles
Fail 2 Jun 2026 138,941 miles

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

Offside Rear Suspension rod ball joint excessively worn track adjustment arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 3 Jun 2025 138,565 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 3 Jun 2025 138,565 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))

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))

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 4 Jun 2024 136,679 miles

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Outer Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 20 May 2024 136,679 miles

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

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

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Outer Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 24 Feb 2023 134,186 miles

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 3 Mar 2022 133,427 miles
Fail 25 Feb 2022 133,427 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 2 Mar 2021 128,601 miles
Pass 15 Oct 2019 127,206 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Fail 4 Oct 2019 127,206 miles

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

Front Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 11 Sep 2018 125,479 miles

Front number plate broken

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Fail 11 Sep 2018 125,479 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Front number plate broken

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre

Pass 18 Sep 2017 117,561 miles

Front registration plate faded but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Fail 11 Sep 2017 117,561 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Nearside Stop lamp not working less than 50% working (1.2.1b)

Front registration plate faded but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Pass 14 Sep 2016 106,230 miles
Pass 7 Sep 2015 102,223 miles
Pass 9 Sep 2014 100,289 miles

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

front brake disces worn

rear brake disces corroded

Pass 31 Aug 2013 96,388 miles

Nail in nearside rear tyre

Nail in offside rear tyre

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

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)

Pass 29 Aug 2012 87,771 miles

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

Pass 5 Sep 2011 79,599 miles
Pass 27 Aug 2010 71,821 miles

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

Pass 11 Sep 2009 64,795 miles
Pass 3 Sep 2008 57,800 miles
Pass 8 Sep 2007 55,306 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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

Pass 13 Sep 2006 53,130 miles

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

Pass 13 Sep 2005 46,067 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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R796 ENM is a 1998 Lotus Elise in Red with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 75%.

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 R796 ENM, 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 R796 ENM?

You can check the full history of R796 ENM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R796 ENM registered?

R796 ENM is a 1998 Lotus Elise, first registered on 18 March 1998.

Is R796 ENM safe to buy?

The MOT history for R796 ENM shows 28 tests with a 75% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R796 ENM 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 R796 ENM. 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.