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C5 PRT

1988 Lotus Esprit

Red Petrol 2174cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires16 Sep 2026
Tests25 (20 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate80%

Mileage

13,963 mi
Last recorded13,963 miles
Recorded on17 Sep 2025
Typical for 1988 Lotus Esprit57,107 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationC5 PRT
MakeLotus
ModelEsprit
Year1988
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 5 fail
Pass 17 Sep 2025 13,963 miles
Pass 3 Sep 2024 13,797 miles
Pass 1 Sep 2023 13,453 miles
Pass 18 Aug 2022 13,239 miles
Pass 2 Sep 2021 13,141 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 28 Jul 2020 12,833 miles

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

Pass 1 Jul 2019 12,499 miles
Pass 12 Jul 2018 11,954 miles
Pass 20 Jul 2017 55,232 miles
Pass 28 Jun 2016 53,640 miles
Pass 10 Jul 2015 52,342 miles
Pass 2 Jul 2014 51,696 miles

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

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

Fail 2 Jul 2014 51,696 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Pass 25 Jun 2013 51,694 miles

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Fail 25 Jun 2013 51,694 miles

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Steering rack insecure (2.2.B.1a)

Pass 17 May 2012 51,694 miles

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

Fail 26 Mar 2012 51,694 miles

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

Front Steering column universal joint damaged and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Parking brake is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only (3.1.2)

Rear Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

both front tyres cracking on tread

Pass 16 Jun 2010 51,696 miles
Fail 8 Jun 2010 51,694 miles

Front registration plate character(s) likely to be misread (6.3.4b)

Nearside Rear Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering rack fitted) (2.2.A.1b)

Offside Steering column universal joint excessively corroded and unserviceable (2.2.C.1d)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Rear registration plate character(s) likely to be misread (6.3.4b)

Nearside Rear Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Offside Rear Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 5 Jun 2009 50,671 miles

Nearside Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Pass 23 Jun 2008 49,644 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Pass 11 Jul 2007 47,382 miles

Nearside Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Pass 17 Jul 2006 47,146 miles
Fail 26 Sep 2005 46,824 miles

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

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 26 Sep 2005 46,824 miles

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

How Reliable is the Lotus Esprit?

Based on 25,410 MOT tests across 2,324 vehicles.

80.6%
Pass Rate
515
Miles/Year
50
Year Lifespan
2,324
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 624
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 464
brake binding 455
parking brake recording little or no effort 332
Headlamp aim too low 326
Full Lotus Esprit reliability report

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C5 PRT is a 1988 Lotus Esprit in Red with a 2,174cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 80%.

Across all 1988 Lotus Esprit models, the average MOT pass rate is 77.5% with a typical mileage of 57,107 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Lotus Esprit fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 624 recorded failures. If you're considering buying C5 PRT, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Lotus Esprit typically stays on UK roads for around 50 years. At 38 years old, this Lotus Esprit is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of C5 PRT?

You can check the full history of C5 PRT by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was C5 PRT registered?

C5 PRT is a 1988 Lotus Esprit, first registered on 30 December 1988.

Is C5 PRT safe to buy?

The MOT history for C5 PRT shows 25 tests with a 80% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does C5 PRT 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 C5 PRT. 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.