CarVerify

Free Car Check

SHM 9F

1998 Lotus Elan

Silver Petrol 1588cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires28 Nov 2020
Tests10 (7 pass, 3 fail)
Pass rate70%

Mileage

18,132 mi
Last recorded18,132 miles
Recorded on29 Nov 2019
Typical for 1998 Lotus Elan57,933 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Lotus
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationSHM 9F
MakeLotus
ModelElan
Year1998
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,588cc

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

7 pass 3 fail
Pass 29 Nov 2019 18,132 miles
Pass 20 Sep 2016 18,035 miles
Fail 12 Sep 2016 18,032 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam (1.7.4a)

Nearside Front Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on main beam (1.7.4a)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam (1.7.4a)

Offside Front Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on main beam (1.7.4a)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Fail 22 Jun 2015 18,007 miles

Nearside Front Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Oil leak

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Rear registration plate missing (6.3.1a)

Pass 22 Jun 2015 18,007 miles

Nearside Front Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Oil leak

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Fail 7 Aug 2014 18,006 miles

Headlamp aim not tested (1.8.A.1c)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Offside Rear position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Pass 9 Jul 2012 17,604 miles

slight play in n/s of steering rack

Pass 5 Jul 2007 17,474 miles
Pass 3 Jul 2006 17,432 miles

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (7.3.A.2c)

Pass 1 Jul 2005 16,961 miles

How Reliable is the Lotus Elan?

Based on 51,097 MOT tests across 4,280 vehicles.

77.4%
Pass Rate
554
Miles/Year
59
Year Lifespan
4,280
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 2,585
brake recording little or no effort 1,342
parking brake recording little or no effort 1,318
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 927
brake binding 845
Full Lotus Elan reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

SHM 9F is a 1998 Lotus Elan in Silver with a 1,588cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 10 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 70%.

Across all 1998 Lotus Elan models, the average MOT pass rate is 78.3% with a typical mileage of 57,933 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 Elan fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 2,585 recorded failures. If you're considering buying SHM 9F, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Lotus Elan typically stays on UK roads for around 59 years. At 28 years old, this Lotus Elan is still in the earlier part of its expected life.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of SHM 9F?

You can check the full history of SHM 9F by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was SHM 9F registered?

SHM 9F is a 1998 Lotus Elan, first registered on 26 March 1998.

Is SHM 9F safe to buy?

The MOT history for SHM 9F shows 10 tests with a 70% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does SHM 9F 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 SHM 9F. 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.