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M194 BCL

1995 Lotus Elan

Yellow Petrol 1588cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires26 Nov 2026
Tests29 (20 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate69%

Mileage

123,016 mi
Last recorded123,016 miles
Recorded on26 Nov 2025
Typical for 1995 Lotus Elan65,228 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationM194 BCL
MakeLotus
ModelElan
Year1995
ColourYellow
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

20 pass 9 fail
Pass 26 Nov 2025 123,016 miles

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

Pass 19 Nov 2024 118,391 miles
Fail 19 Nov 2024 118,391 miles

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

Offside Front Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 27 Nov 2023 111,627 miles
Fail 14 Sep 2023 111,620 miles

Headlamp aim unable to be tested (4.1.2 (b))

Headlamp are incorrectly positioned both headlamps not raising correctly (4.1.4 (a))

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Front Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

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

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle by more than 50% Axle 1 (1.2.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Coil spring corroded all 4 road springs (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play both sides (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Hazard warning switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

Pass 21 Sep 2022 111,316 miles
Pass 23 Sep 2021 110,943 miles
Fail 6 Sep 2021 110,941 miles

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low headlight does not operate all the way up (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Hazard warning switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Pass 9 Sep 2020 110,428 miles
Fail 9 Sep 2020 110,428 miles

Central Rear Brake lever pivot has excessive wear or free play Adjust (1.1.1 (b))

Pass 6 Sep 2019 110,180 miles
Pass 3 Sep 2018 109,860 miles
Fail 24 Aug 2018 109,824 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

Pass 21 Aug 2017 108,080 miles
Fail 10 Aug 2017 108,075 miles

Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on (8.2.1b)

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

Pass 3 Aug 2016 107,600 miles
Pass 11 Aug 2015 107,437 miles
Pass 30 Jun 2014 107,122 miles
Pass 2 May 2013 106,525 miles

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 25 Apr 2013 106,516 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Obligatory mirror insecure (8.1.1)

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

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 5 Apr 2012 106,371 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 5 Apr 2012 106,371 miles
Pass 31 Mar 2011 106,272 miles
Pass 30 Mar 2010 105,983 miles
Pass 1 Apr 2009 105,722 miles
Fail 1 Apr 2008 105,451 miles

Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 1 Apr 2008 105,451 miles
Pass 27 Mar 2007 104,350 miles

front brake discs corroded

Pass 20 Mar 2006 102,841 miles

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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M194 BCL is a 1995 Lotus Elan in Yellow with a 1,588cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69%.

Across all 1995 Lotus Elan models, the average MOT pass rate is 76.3% with a typical mileage of 65,228 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 M194 BCL, 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 31 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 M194 BCL?

You can check the full history of M194 BCL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was M194 BCL registered?

M194 BCL is a 1995 Lotus Elan, first registered on 31 December 1995.

Is M194 BCL safe to buy?

The MOT history for M194 BCL shows 29 tests with a 69% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does M194 BCL 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 M194 BCL. 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.