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J261 SOM

1992 Lotus Elan

Blue Petrol 1588cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Oct 2026
Tests25 (13 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate52%

Mileage

65,745 mi
Last recorded65,745 miles
Recorded on15 Oct 2025
Typical for 1992 Lotus Elan76,086 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

RegistrationJ261 SOM
MakeLotus
ModelElan
Year1992
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,588cc

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

13 pass 12 fail
Pass 15 Oct 2025 65,745 miles

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

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

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened Both sides (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 4 Aug 2025 65,724 miles

Offside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

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

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened both sides (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 31 May 2024 65,587 miles

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both sides (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened both sides (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Windscreen wiper blade defective both (3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 18 Jul 2022 65,135 miles
Fail 13 Jun 2022 65,105 miles

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Rear Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Pass 14 Jun 2021 64,903 miles
Fail 9 Jun 2021 64,884 miles

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 9 Jun 2020 63,975 miles
Pass 10 Jan 2018 63,283 miles
Pass 19 Jan 2017 62,311 miles
Fail 18 Jan 2017 62,311 miles

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

Offside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Fail 21 May 2016 62,297 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded pipe from os rear load valve to flex hose (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Brake hose has insufficient room to move, resulting in fouling on any part (3.6.B.4a)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

Offside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Brake pipe slightly corroded pipe from ns rear load valve to flex hose (3.6.B.2c)

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

Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim os and ns front (4.2.A.1a)

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened all suspension arms front and rear (2.4.G.1)

front tyres wearing slightly on inner eges

slight noise form ns rear wheel when rotated possible wheel bearing

slight play in inner steering rack joints

Fail 22 Apr 2016 62,283 miles

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Inner Brake pad(s) insecure (3.5.1g)

Centre Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules os/ns (3.6.B.4e)

Pass 28 Apr 2015 61,190 miles

Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded (2.3.2)

Fail 28 Apr 2015 61,176 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded (2.3.2)

Pass 29 May 2014 60,630 miles

All under body components very rusty.

Fail 29 May 2014 60,360 miles

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

Pass 11 Mar 2013 59,342 miles

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Fail 6 Mar 2013 59,342 miles

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Pass 27 Feb 2012 58,537 miles

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Fail 24 Feb 2012 58,537 miles

Centre Rear Upper Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Outer Rear Lower Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 19 Nov 2010 57,328 miles
Fail 16 Nov 2010 57,323 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 30 Nov 2009 52,669 miles
Fail 10 Nov 2009 52,291 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Centre Front Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Centre Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Front 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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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.

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J261 SOM is a 1992 Lotus Elan in Blue with a 1,588cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 52%.

Across all 1992 Lotus Elan models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.0% with a typical mileage of 76,086 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 J261 SOM, 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 34 years old, this Lotus Elan is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of J261 SOM?

You can check the full history of J261 SOM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J261 SOM registered?

J261 SOM is a 1992 Lotus Elan, first registered on 1 January 1992.

Is J261 SOM safe to buy?

The MOT history for J261 SOM shows 25 tests with a 52% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J261 SOM 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 J261 SOM. 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.