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S581 SNF

1998 Lotus Esprit

Blue Petrol 1974cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Apr 2027
Tests25 (18 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate72%

Mileage

40,814 mi
Last recorded40,814 miles
Recorded on15 Apr 2026
Typical for 1998 Lotus Esprit48,579 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Lotus
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS581 SNF
MakeLotus
ModelEsprit
Year1998
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,974cc

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 7 fail
Pass 15 Apr 2026 40,814 miles

Brake & suspension components corroded

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

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

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

Fail 24 Mar 2026 40,812 miles

Emissions unable to be completed Coolant leak (8.2.2.2 (e))

Central Fuel Pipe/s corroded Front to rear ()

Coolant leak ()

Engine management light on

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

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

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Corroded (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Corroded (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Corroded (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Corroded (5.3.2 (b))

Undertrays fitted obscuring view

Fail 17 Apr 2025 40,806 miles

Nearside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Corroded (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front 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))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Corroded (5.3.2 (b))

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

Pass 26 Apr 2024 40,801 miles

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

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

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

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt insecure (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

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

Fail 12 Apr 2024 40,800 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

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

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Nearside Front 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

Engine management light on

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

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

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

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt insecure (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing corroded (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Tyre obviously under inflated (5.2.3 (l))

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

Pass 9 Mar 2023 40,797 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 9 Mar 2023 40,797 miles

Front Registration plate insecure (0.1 (a))

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

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

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

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

Pass 23 Mar 2022 40,791 miles
Pass 26 Mar 2021 40,781 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))

Pass 9 Apr 2019 40,769 miles

Nearside Front suspension has surface corrosion

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front suspension has surface corrosion

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Pass 7 Apr 2018 40,126 miles

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

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

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

Fail 6 Apr 2018 40,126 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

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

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

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

Pass 9 Jan 2017 39,966 miles

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

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

Pass 23 Jan 2016 39,543 miles

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

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

Pass 24 Jan 2015 39,410 miles
Pass 11 Jan 2014 39,402 miles
Pass 5 May 2012 38,756 miles

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

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

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Pass 7 May 2011 38,293 miles

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

o/s/r tyre, sidewalls deteriorated

rear brake discs slightly deteriorated

Pass 3 Feb 2010 36,731 miles
Pass 19 Jan 2009 35,023 miles

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

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

Pass 24 Jan 2008 32,464 miles

corrosion & wear to front & rear brake discs

general light corrosion all underbody areas,springs & brake pipes

slight damage o/s/f tyre inner sidewall & slight wear to front tyres on inner edges

Fail 24 Jan 2008 32,464 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

corrosion & wear to front & rear brake discs

general light corrosion all underbody areas,springs & brake pipes

slight damage o/s/f tyre inner sidewall & slight wear to front tyres on inner edges

Pass 25 Jan 2007 30,724 miles

light corrosion & wear to front & rear brake discs

light corrosion all underbody areas & springs

slight damage to o/s/f tyre inner sidewall

Pass 22 Dec 2005 29,059 miles
Fail 22 Dec 2005 29,059 miles

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

corrosion † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † †corrosion and wear front and rear brake discs slight damage o/s/f tyre inner sidewall † †

How Reliable is the Lotus Esprit?

Based on 25,410 MOT tests across 2,324 vehicles.

80.6%
Pass Rate
515
Miles/Year
50
Year Lifespan
2,324
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 624
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 464
brake binding 455
parking brake recording little or no effort 332
Headlamp aim too low 326
Full Lotus Esprit 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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S581 SNF is a 1998 Lotus Esprit in Blue with a 1,974cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72%.

Across all 1998 Lotus Esprit models, the average MOT pass rate is 85.0% with a typical mileage of 48,579 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 Esprit fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 624 recorded failures. If you're considering buying S581 SNF, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Lotus Esprit typically stays on UK roads for around 50 years. At 28 years old, this Lotus Esprit is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of S581 SNF?

You can check the full history of S581 SNF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S581 SNF registered?

S581 SNF is a 1998 Lotus Esprit, first registered on 1 August 1998.

Is S581 SNF safe to buy?

The MOT history for S581 SNF shows 25 tests with a 72% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S581 SNF 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 S581 SNF. 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.