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ESP 96V

1997 Lotus Esprit

Blue Petrol 1974cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Apr 2027
Tests20 (19 pass, 1 fail)
Pass rate95%

Mileage

45,930 mi
Last recorded45,930 miles
Recorded on8 Apr 2026
Typical for 1997 Lotus Esprit46,303 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

RegistrationESP 96V
MakeLotus
ModelEsprit
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,974cc

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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 1 fail
Pass 8 Apr 2026 45,930 miles
Pass 7 Apr 2025 45,926 miles

Coolant leak

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

vehicle suspension components corroded

Pass 10 Apr 2024 45,733 miles
Pass 19 Jul 2022 45,224 miles
Pass 16 Jul 2021 44,602 miles
Pass 17 Jul 2020 44,238 miles

Front Fluid leak, but not excessive Antifreeze (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 17 May 2019 43,103 miles
Pass 12 Mar 2018 42,866 miles
Pass 24 Feb 2017 42,711 miles
Pass 4 Apr 2016 42,611 miles
Fail 4 Apr 2016 42,594 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Pass 10 Mar 2015 41,749 miles
Pass 15 Nov 2013 38,333 miles
Pass 21 Sep 2012 38,087 miles
Pass 5 Oct 2011 38,006 miles
Pass 2 Jul 2010 34,243 miles
Pass 18 Jun 2009 32,828 miles
Pass 5 Jul 2008 32,170 miles

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Pass 4 Jul 2007 28,686 miles
Pass 20 Jun 2006 24,560 miles

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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ESP 96V is a 1997 Lotus Esprit in Blue with a 1,974cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 20 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 95%.

Across all 1997 Lotus Esprit models, the average MOT pass rate is 82.4% with a typical mileage of 46,303 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 ESP 96V, 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 29 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 ESP 96V?

You can check the full history of ESP 96V by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was ESP 96V registered?

ESP 96V is a 1997 Lotus Esprit, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is ESP 96V safe to buy?

The MOT history for ESP 96V shows 20 tests with a 95% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does ESP 96V 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 ESP 96V. 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.