CarVerify

Free Car Check

B238 EFL

1985 Lotus Excel

Red Petrol 2174cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires11 Aug 2026
Tests23 (20 pass, 3 fail)
Pass rate87%

Mileage

42,868 mi
Last recorded42,868 miles
Recorded on11 Aug 2025
Typical for 1985 Lotus Excel59,916 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

RegistrationB238 EFL
MakeLotus
ModelExcel
Year1985
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,174cc

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 3 fail
Pass 11 Aug 2025 42,868 miles
Pass 9 Aug 2024 42,745 miles
Pass 9 Aug 2023 42,410 miles

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

Pass 12 Aug 2022 42,077 miles

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

Front Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded on steering rack (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Fail 13 Jul 2022 42,075 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear brake binding

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

Pass 21 Jul 2021 41,681 miles

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Pass 14 Jul 2020 41,538 miles

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Pass 18 Jul 2019 41,314 miles

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

Pass 19 Jul 2018 40,952 miles
Pass 11 Jul 2017 40,696 miles
Pass 11 Jul 2016 40,611 miles
Pass 13 Jul 2015 40,496 miles
Pass 9 Jul 2014 39,967 miles

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 8 Jul 2013 39,680 miles
Pass 12 Jul 2012 39,384 miles
Fail 13 Jun 2012 39,366 miles

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Offside Front coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Steerig lock not operational.

Pass 6 Jun 2011 39,148 miles

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

Pass 8 Jun 2010 38,878 miles
Pass 10 Jun 2009 38,647 miles
Fail 2 Jun 2009 38,642 miles

Brake performance not tested (3.7.A.1)

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

Rear Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1)

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

Pass 6 Jun 2008 38,555 miles
Pass 3 Apr 2007 38,007 miles
Pass 23 Mar 2006 37,664 miles

How Reliable is the Lotus Excel?

Based on 5,018 MOT tests across 458 vehicles.

75.4%
Pass Rate
606
Miles/Year
43
Year Lifespan
458
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Steering rack gaiter split 218
Brake pipe excessively corroded 128
brake binding 126
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 118
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 113
Full Lotus Excel 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

B238 EFL is a 1985 Lotus Excel in Red with a 2,174cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 87%.

Across all 1985 Lotus Excel models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.3% with a typical mileage of 59,916 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Lotus Excel fails its MOT is steering rack gaiter split, accounting for 218 recorded failures. If you're considering buying B238 EFL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Lotus Excel typically stays on UK roads for around 43 years. At 41 years old, this Lotus Excel is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of B238 EFL?

You can check the full history of B238 EFL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was B238 EFL registered?

B238 EFL is a 1985 Lotus Excel, first registered on 4 April 1985.

Is B238 EFL safe to buy?

The MOT history for B238 EFL shows 23 tests with a 87% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does B238 EFL 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 B238 EFL. 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.