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S501 SFH

1999 Lotus Elise

Blue Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires12 May 2026
Tests24 (18 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate75%

Mileage

45,891 mi
Last recorded45,891 miles
Recorded on13 May 2026
Typical for 1999 Lotus Elise46,666 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationS501 SFH
MakeLotus
ModelElise
Year1999
ColourBlue
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

18 pass 6 fail
Fail 13 May 2026 45,891 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake cable damaged but not to excess (1.1.15 (a))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake cable damaged but not to excess (1.1.15 (a))

Pass 13 May 2025 45,417 miles
Pass 24 May 2024 45,148 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 24 May 2024 45,145 miles

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 6 Jun 2023 44,865 miles

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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))

Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.2.2 (b))

Fail 6 Jun 2023 44,865 miles

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Steering column top bearing slightly worn (2.2.2 (b))

Pass 16 Jun 2022 44,621 miles

Brake pedal feels slightly softer/spongier than normal

Engine coolant level is below the minimum mark

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 7 Jun 2021 44,048 miles

Brake pedal feels softer/slightly spongy than you would normally find on this model of vehicle

Engine coolant level is below minimum mark

Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively Both front (1.2.1 (e))

Fail 7 Jun 2021 44,048 miles

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt As marked (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Brake pedal feels softer/slightly spongy than you would normally find on this model of vehicle

Engine coolant level is below minimum mark

Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively Both front (1.2.1 (e))

Pass 8 Jun 2020 43,714 miles
Pass 29 Apr 2019 43,100 miles
Fail 18 Apr 2019 43,096 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))

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 30 Apr 2018 42,385 miles

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

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

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

Pass 8 Nov 2016 41,795 miles

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

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

Offside Front Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

cant fully inspect underside of vehicle because undercovers cover most of vehicle

Pass 17 Apr 2014 41,567 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

strong smell of petrol from vehicle unable to find a leak/seapage at time of inspection

Fail 16 Apr 2014 41,559 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)

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

strong smell of petrol from vehicle unable to find a leak/seapage at time of inspection

Pass 24 Apr 2013 40,734 miles

Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Pass 30 Apr 2012 40,052 miles
Pass 22 Mar 2011 39,662 miles
Pass 1 Apr 2010 38,095 miles
Pass 7 Jan 2009 36,863 miles
Pass 16 Jan 2008 35,514 miles

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)

Pass 3 Jan 2007 32,908 miles
Pass 19 Dec 2005 30,878 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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S501 SFH is a 1999 Lotus Elise in Blue with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 75%.

Across all 1999 Lotus Elise models, the average MOT pass rate is 78.1% with a typical mileage of 46,666 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 S501 SFH, 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 27 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 S501 SFH?

You can check the full history of S501 SFH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S501 SFH registered?

S501 SFH is a 1999 Lotus Elise, first registered on 5 January 1999.

Is S501 SFH safe to buy?

The MOT history for S501 SFH shows 24 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 S501 SFH 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 S501 SFH. 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.