CarVerify

Free Car Check

VU51 FWE

2002 Lotus Elise

Grey Petrol 1796cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 Sep 2026
Tests29 (19 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate65.5%

Mileage

79,781 mi
Last recorded79,781 miles
Recorded on19 Sep 2025
Typical for 2002 Lotus Elise36,462 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationVU51 FWE
MakeLotus
ModelElise
Year2002
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

19 pass 10 fail
Pass 19 Sep 2025 79,781 miles

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

Fail 19 Sep 2025 79,781 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

Pass 20 Sep 2024 78,846 miles
Fail 19 Sep 2024 78,846 miles

Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded main line above suspenion arm (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

Nearside Rear Outer Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

Pass 30 Aug 2023 77,152 miles
Fail 18 Aug 2023 77,152 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

Pass 31 Aug 2022 76,103 miles

Handbrake high

Rear Number plate deteriorating

Pass 3 Sep 2021 75,147 miles
Fail 3 Sep 2021 75,147 miles

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

Pass 2 Sep 2020 73,931 miles

all brake discs deteriorating

Pass 30 May 2019 72,309 miles

rear brake discs corroding

Fail 30 May 2019 72,309 miles

Front Registration plate inscription missing (0.1 (b))

rear brake discs corroding

Pass 15 Jun 2018 70,435 miles
Fail 15 Jun 2018 70,435 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

Pass 24 Jul 2017 69,924 miles
Pass 26 Jul 2016 68,835 miles

Brake cable has wires broken but is not significantly weakened (3.5.1b)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

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

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

Fail 13 Jul 2016 68,827 miles

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

Brake cable has wires broken but is not significantly weakened (3.5.1b)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

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

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

Pass 13 Jul 2015 68,332 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

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

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

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

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

Pass 20 Dec 2013 67,193 miles
Pass 23 Feb 2013 65,138 miles
Fail 13 Feb 2013 65,104 miles

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Lower Coil spring mounting damaged and seriously weakened (2.4.C.3c)

Offside Front Lower Front suspension has excessive play in an outer ball joint (2.5.B.2a)

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

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

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

Pass 23 Feb 2012 62,443 miles

Offside Front Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Fail 18 Feb 2012 62,443 miles

Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Front Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

n/s rear iner stop light inop

Pass 10 Feb 2011 55,839 miles
Pass 7 Oct 2009 45,013 miles

heavy wear showing on front brake discs

heavy wear showing on rear brake discs

slight brake judder in o/s/rear brake

slight play in n/s and o/s/front anti-roll bar links

unable to check underside of vehicle fully due to lower pannels fitted front to rear

Fail 1 Oct 2009 44,666 miles

Front registration plate missing (6.3.1a)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

heavy wear showing on front brake discs

heavy wear showing on rear brake discs

slight brake judder in o/s/rear brake

slight play in n/s and o/s/front anti-roll bar links

unable to check underside of vehicle fully due to lower pannels fitted front to rear

Pass 3 Oct 2008 35,131 miles
Pass 13 Feb 2007 32,926 miles
Pass 9 Feb 2006 29,623 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

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

VU51 FWE is a 2002 Lotus Elise in Grey with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.5%.

Across all 2002 Lotus Elise models, the average MOT pass rate is 82.9% with a typical mileage of 36,462 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 VU51 FWE, 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 24 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 VU51 FWE?

You can check the full history of VU51 FWE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was VU51 FWE registered?

VU51 FWE is a 2002 Lotus Elise, first registered on 22 January 2002.

Is VU51 FWE safe to buy?

The MOT history for VU51 FWE shows 29 tests with a 65.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does VU51 FWE 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 VU51 FWE. 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.