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F881 GTV

1988 Lotus Excel

White Petrol 2174cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Oct 2026
Tests31 (20 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate64.5%

Mileage

50,584 mi
Last recorded50,584 miles
Recorded on3 Oct 2025
Typical for 1988 Lotus Excel56,451 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Lotus
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationF881 GTV
MakeLotus
ModelExcel
Year1988
ColourWhite
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 11 fail
Pass 3 Oct 2025 50,584 miles

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 1 Oct 2024 50,249 miles

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Pass 6 Oct 2023 49,404 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

Fail 30 Aug 2023 49,402 miles

Driver's door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 26 Aug 2022 48,589 miles

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

all tyre tread cracking and perished

power steering pipe corroded

slight leak at steering rack

Fail 29 Jul 2022 48,589 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Front Coil spring corroded Both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Rear Coil spring corroded Both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 11 Aug 2021 48,409 miles

Front Coil spring corroded Both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Coil spring corroded Both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 6 Aug 2021 48,409 miles

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Front Coil spring corroded Both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Coil spring corroded Both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 7 Aug 2020 48,318 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Sidewall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material From rear hose going forward (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Pass 24 Jul 2019 48,242 miles

Coil spring corroded all four (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Inner Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Pass 8 Aug 2018 47,922 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement End bush on bar (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

Fail 3 Aug 2018 47,922 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.12 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement End bush on bar (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

Pass 8 Aug 2017 47,866 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

coil spring corroded all four spring's (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 8 Aug 2017 47,666 miles

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

coil spring corroded all four spring's (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 22 Jul 2016 47,430 miles
Fail 12 Jul 2016 47,430 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Pass 16 Jun 2015 46,461 miles

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 9 Jun 2015 46,461 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Position lamp switch does not illuminate the front and rear position lamps with a single operation (1.1.A.2)

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 8 Jul 2014 46,305 miles

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

Fail 19 Jun 2014 46,303 miles

Brake performance not tested (3.7.A.1)

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

Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated (7.2.4c)

Fuel system component leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1) DANGEROUS

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1) DANGEROUS

Offside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 19 Jun 2013 46,193 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

all brake pipe slightly corroded

all metal ferrules on brake flexible hoses slightly corroded

all suspension front and rear becoming slightly corroded

offside and nearside rear seat belt mountings brackets corroded

Fail 13 Jun 2012 45,956 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting insecure (2.4.G.1)

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

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

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

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone 'A' (8.3.1b)

o/s&n/s rear seat belt mounting brackets corroded

Pass 13 Jun 2012 45,956 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

o/s&n/s rear seat belt mounting brackets corroded

Pass 14 Jun 2011 45,850 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front 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 11 Jun 2010 45,515 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front 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)

Fail 10 Jun 2010 45,515 miles

All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front 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 23 Jun 2009 44,606 miles
Fail 13 Jun 2009 44,606 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Pass 9 Jun 2008 43,370 miles

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

Pass 29 Aug 2007 40,803 miles
Pass 30 Sep 2006 30,042 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

F881 GTV is a 1988 Lotus Excel in White with a 2,174cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.5%.

Across all 1988 Lotus Excel models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.4% with a typical mileage of 56,451 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 Excel fails its MOT is steering rack gaiter split, accounting for 218 recorded failures. If you're considering buying F881 GTV, 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 38 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 F881 GTV?

You can check the full history of F881 GTV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was F881 GTV registered?

F881 GTV is a 1988 Lotus Excel, first registered on 30 September 1988.

Is F881 GTV safe to buy?

The MOT history for F881 GTV shows 31 tests with a 64.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does F881 GTV 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 F881 GTV. 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.