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R79 FYJ

1998 Lotus Elise

Black Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Jun 2027
Tests29 (19 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate65.5%

Mileage

96,002 mi
Last recorded96,002 miles
Recorded on10 Jun 2026
Typical for 1998 Lotus Elise48,523 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Lotus
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR79 FYJ
MakeLotus
ModelElise
Year1998
ColourBlack
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 10 fail
Pass 10 Jun 2026 96,002 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 25 Apr 2026 95,973 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 default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Central Upper Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly twisted (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 24 Apr 2025 95,401 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Pass 4 Sep 2023 95,148 miles

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

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

Fail 4 Sep 2023 95,148 miles

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

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

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

Pass 2 Aug 2022 94,943 miles
Fail 2 Aug 2022 94,943 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Pass 3 Aug 2021 94,735 miles
Pass 31 Jul 2020 94,579 miles
Fail 31 Jul 2020 94,579 miles

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

Pass 5 Mar 2019 94,204 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test PHONE MOUNT

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Pass 24 Oct 2017 93,621 miles
Pass 1 Nov 2016 93,400 miles
Fail 31 Oct 2016 93,386 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)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 22 Oct 2015 91,008 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 22 Oct 2015 91,008 miles

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 30 Oct 2014 83,289 miles
Pass 30 Oct 2013 80,297 miles

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 29 Nov 2012 78,528 miles

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 21 Nov 2012 78,528 miles

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

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

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

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

o/s/ rear hand brake cable close to road wheel.

Pass 24 Jan 2012 76,302 miles

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

Pass 6 Jan 2011 73,787 miles

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

Offside front tyre cracked /perrished

Pass 28 Jan 2010 71,511 miles
Fail 19 Jan 2010 71,344 miles

Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (2.7.5)

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

Pass 21 Jan 2009 68,392 miles
Pass 28 Jan 2008 66,666 miles
Fail 25 Jan 2008 66,647 miles

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

Pass 23 Jan 2007 63,609 miles
Fail 23 Jan 2007 63,607 miles

Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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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R79 FYJ is a 1998 Lotus Elise in Black with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.5%.

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 R79 FYJ, 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 R79 FYJ?

You can check the full history of R79 FYJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R79 FYJ registered?

R79 FYJ is a 1998 Lotus Elise, first registered on 3 March 1998.

Is R79 FYJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for R79 FYJ shows 29 tests with a 65.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R79 FYJ 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 R79 FYJ. 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.