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N339 HCL

1996 Lotus Esprit

Yellow Petrol 2174cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires2 Dec 2026
Tests16 (11 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate68.8%

Mileage

61,156 mi
Last recorded61,156 miles
Recorded on3 Dec 2025
Typical for 1996 Lotus Esprit48,465 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationN339 HCL
MakeLotus
ModelEsprit
Year1996
ColourYellow
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

11 pass 5 fail
Pass 3 Dec 2025 61,156 miles
Pass 27 Sep 2024 61,099 miles

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

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

some corrosion to front and rear suspension components

Pass 29 Jun 2023 59,840 miles

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

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

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

Fail 28 Jun 2023 59,839 miles

Front Registration plate missing (0.1 (a))

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Direction indicator not working on wing and front (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Position lamp not working full beam (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Fail 25 May 2017 59,732 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated (3.6.G.2)

Exhaust catalytic converter missing where one was fitted as standard (7.1.3)

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

Fog light tell tail dim

Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement Both (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement Both (2.4.G.2)

Rear Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement Both (2.4.G.2)

Pass 2 Jun 2014 58,375 miles

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

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

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

Pass 31 May 2013 57,549 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Oil leak

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 31 May 2011 57,386 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

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

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

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

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Fail 20 May 2011 57,386 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

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

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

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

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 24 May 2010 56,659 miles

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

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 13 May 2009 55,185 miles
Pass 28 Apr 2008 52,871 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not in good working order but not adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Pass 10 Apr 2007 50,839 miles
Fail 4 Apr 2007 50,838 miles

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

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

Pass 4 Mar 2006 49,750 miles
Fail 4 Mar 2006 49,750 miles

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

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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N339 HCL is a 1996 Lotus Esprit in Yellow with a 2,174cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 16 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 68.8%.

Across all 1996 Lotus Esprit models, the average MOT pass rate is 81.8% with a typical mileage of 48,465 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 Esprit fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 624 recorded failures. If you're considering buying N339 HCL, 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 30 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 N339 HCL?

You can check the full history of N339 HCL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N339 HCL registered?

N339 HCL is a 1996 Lotus Esprit, first registered on 8 February 1996.

Is N339 HCL safe to buy?

The MOT history for N339 HCL shows 16 tests with a 68.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N339 HCL 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 N339 HCL. 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.