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SN53 FNR

2003 Lotus Elise

Grey Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 Nov 2026
Tests26 (20 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate76.9%

Mileage

115,281 mi
Last recorded115,281 miles
Recorded on14 Nov 2025
Typical for 2003 Lotus Elise33,657 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationSN53 FNR
MakeLotus
ModelElise
Year2003
ColourGrey
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

20 pass 6 fail
Pass 14 Nov 2025 115,281 miles
Pass 7 Nov 2024 111,905 miles

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 20 Nov 2023 108,776 miles

Central Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 9 Jan 2023 105,279 miles
Pass 20 Jan 2022 102,599 miles

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 14 Jan 2022 102,598 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 22 Jan 2021 101,310 miles
Pass 10 Jul 2019 97,476 miles
Pass 16 Jul 2018 91,198 miles

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 13 Jul 2017 85,472 miles
Fail 12 Jul 2017 85,471 miles

Offside Rear Inner Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Pass 21 Jul 2016 80,056 miles
Pass 26 Aug 2015 76,854 miles

Front registration plate delaminated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 25 Aug 2014 72,860 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 25 Aug 2014 72,860 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 28 Aug 2013 69,617 miles

Centre Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 30 Oct 2012 67,065 miles

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

slight damage to front number plate

Fail 30 Oct 2012 67,065 miles

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

slight damage to front number plate

Pass 28 Oct 2011 63,729 miles

slight damage to front No plate.

tyres getting close to wear bands

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

rattle from engine at idle speed.

Pass 27 Oct 2010 59,683 miles

Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

nearside rear brake disc inner face pitted.

Pass 26 Oct 2009 55,572 miles

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

slight damage to front no plate

Fail 26 Oct 2009 55,572 miles

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

slight damage to front no plate

Fail 25 Oct 2008 47,478 miles

Nearside Steering rack insecure (2.2.B.1a)

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

front registration plate starting to delaminate

unable to check under bonnet testable items due to screwed down panels

Pass 25 Oct 2008 47,478 miles

front registration plate starting to delaminate

unable to check under bonnet testable items due to screwed down panels

Pass 25 Oct 2007 44,052 miles

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

rear No plate slightly deteriated.

Pass 20 Oct 2006 36,168 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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SN53 FNR is a 2003 Lotus Elise in Grey with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 76.9%.

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 SN53 FNR, 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 SN53 FNR?

You can check the full history of SN53 FNR by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was SN53 FNR registered?

SN53 FNR is a 2003 Lotus Elise, first registered on 27 October 2003.

Is SN53 FNR safe to buy?

The MOT history for SN53 FNR shows 26 tests with a 76.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does SN53 FNR 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 SN53 FNR. 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.