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WDF 143J

1971 Lotus Elan

Red Petrol 1558cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires27 Apr 2027
Tests18 (14 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate77.8%

Mileage

55,126 mi
Last recorded55,126 miles
Recorded on15 Apr 2026
Typical for 1971 Lotus Elan49,460 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationWDF 143J
MakeLotus
ModelElan
Year1971
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,558cc

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

14 pass 4 fail
Pass 15 Apr 2026 55,126 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 28 Apr 2025 54,816 miles
Pass 8 Dec 2022 54,275 miles
Pass 25 May 2022 54,224 miles
Pass 22 Jul 2019 54,125 miles
Pass 5 Apr 2017 54,058 miles
Pass 17 Mar 2016 53,852 miles
Pass 10 Jun 2014 53,094 miles

Oil leak

both driveshaft doughnuts perished

Fail 25 Nov 2013 53,094 miles

Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Offside Front Brake pipe fouled by moving parts (3.6.B.2a)

Oil leak

both rear driveshaft doughnuts perished

handbrake cable fouling starter motor

Pass 20 Sep 2012 52,827 miles

hazard switch been removed

Fail 20 Sep 2012 52,826 miles

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Pass 28 Apr 2011 52,603 miles
Fail 9 Mar 2010 51,053 miles

Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Pass 9 Mar 2010 51,053 miles
Pass 3 Jun 2008 50,910 miles

oil leak on or adjacent to starter motor

surface corrosion to chassis

Pass 31 May 2007 50,735 miles
Pass 19 May 2006 50,421 miles
Fail 19 May 2006 50,421 miles

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

Offside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

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

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

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WDF 143J is a 1971 Lotus Elan in Red with a 1,558cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 18 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 77.8%.

Across all 1971 Lotus Elan models, the average MOT pass rate is 85.9% with a typical mileage of 49,460 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 WDF 143J, 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 55 years old, this Lotus Elan is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of WDF 143J?

You can check the full history of WDF 143J by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was WDF 143J registered?

WDF 143J is a 1971 Lotus Elan, first registered on 8 January 1971.

Is WDF 143J safe to buy?

The MOT history for WDF 143J shows 18 tests with a 77.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does WDF 143J 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 WDF 143J. 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.