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SAM 570Y

2003 Lotus Elise

Green Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Jan 2027
Tests26 (18 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate69.2%

Mileage

105,553 mi
Last recorded105,553 miles
Recorded on8 Jan 2026
Typical for 2003 Lotus Elise33,657 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

RegistrationSAM 570Y
MakeLotus
ModelElise
Year2003
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

18 pass 8 fail
Pass 8 Jan 2026 105,553 miles
Pass 17 Dec 2024 103,911 miles

Front Wiper and washer poor

Pass 10 Jan 2024 103,262 miles

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

Nearside Front Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Steering linkage ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 2 Jan 2024 103,248 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 9 Dec 2022 102,702 miles

Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 15 Dec 2021 101,109 miles

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Inner Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 9 Dec 2020 99,575 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 10 May 2019 95,367 miles

Front Washers Poor

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

Offside Front Inner Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Fail 9 May 2019 95,350 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))

Front Washers Poor

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

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

Offside Front Inner Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Pass 20 Apr 2018 90,574 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Front 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)

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded mostly obstructed from view (3.6.B.2c)

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened ALL (2.4.G.1)

Pass 24 Apr 2017 88,799 miles
Pass 14 Apr 2016 86,702 miles
Fail 13 Apr 2016 86,701 miles

Nearside Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

Nearside Seat belt insecurely fixed to the seat (5.2.1a)

Nearside Upper Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure b pillar (5.2.1a)

Offside Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure b pillar (5.2.1a)

Rear Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Pass 28 Apr 2015 86,328 miles

rear lamp unit cracked

Pass 30 Jan 2014 85,618 miles

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

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

slight play in front suspension

Fail 13 Jan 2014 85,618 miles

Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

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

Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Offside Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

corrosion setting into suspension components

slight play in front suspension

Pass 26 Oct 2011 80,327 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)

Fail 25 Oct 2011 80,326 miles

Nearside Rear Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red (1.3.2e)

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

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 13 Oct 2010 72,292 miles
Fail 12 Oct 2010 72,183 miles

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red (1.3.2e)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Front registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

Pass 30 Oct 2009 64,668 miles

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

Fail 29 Oct 2009 64,668 miles

Nearside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

N/S Driving lamp out, (part of main beam)

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

Pass 20 Oct 2008 51,503 miles

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

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

Offside Front 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 24 Oct 2007 38,994 miles
Pass 24 Oct 2006 25,131 miles
Fail 24 Oct 2006 25,131 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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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SAM 570Y is a 2003 Lotus Elise in Green with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69.2%.

Across all 2003 Lotus Elise models, the average MOT pass rate is 83.4% with a typical mileage of 33,657 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 SAM 570Y, 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 23 years old, this Lotus Elise is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of SAM 570Y?

You can check the full history of SAM 570Y by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was SAM 570Y registered?

SAM 570Y is a 2003 Lotus Elise, first registered on 9 July 2003.

Is SAM 570Y safe to buy?

The MOT history for SAM 570Y shows 26 tests with a 69.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does SAM 570Y 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 SAM 570Y. 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.