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N697 FLC

1996 Lotus Elan

Blue Petrol 1588cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires18 Dec 2026
Tests32 (21 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate65.6%

Mileage

198,263 mi
Last recorded198,263 miles
Recorded on19 Dec 2025
Typical for 1996 Lotus Elan53,185 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationN697 FLC
MakeLotus
ModelElan
Year1996
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

21 pass 11 fail
Pass 19 Dec 2025 198,263 miles

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement All (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 2 Dec 2025 197,774 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 4 Dec 2024 191,616 miles
Fail 2 Dec 2024 191,609 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Sub-frame pin or bush excessively worn bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Hydraulic brake calliper leaking and braking performance affected (1.1.16 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 15 Dec 2023 183,189 miles

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Parking brake has little reserve travel.

Fail 14 Dec 2023 183,189 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

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

Offside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Parking brake has little reserve travel.

Fail 14 Nov 2023 182,812 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Brake valve leaking (1.1.7 (d) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Outer Anti-roll bar linkage insecurely attached (5.3.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting insecure inner bush retaining bolt loose (5.3.3 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting likely to become detached inner bush retaining bolt loose (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Pass 14 Dec 2022 175,158 miles

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

Nearside Rear tyre worn on inner edge

Offside Front play in steering rack

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

battery warning lamp displayed

horn is difficult to operate

Fail 6 Dec 2022 175,155 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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))

Nearside Rear tyre worn on inner edge

Offside Front play in steering rack

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

battery warning lamp displayed

Pass 13 Dec 2021 162,555 miles
Fail 25 Nov 2021 162,294 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Central exhaust rubber mountings split

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

o/s/f + n/s/f drive shaft locking nut tabs not fitted correctly

Offside Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system front to rear pipe connection (1.1.11 (b) (ii))

Pass 21 Jul 2020 157,845 miles
Fail 10 Jul 2020 157,434 miles

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

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

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

Pass 10 Jul 2019 146,804 miles

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

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

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

Pass 6 Jun 2018 133,934 miles

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

Pass 14 Jun 2017 120,952 miles

Nearside Rear Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 19 Aug 2016 109,234 miles

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

Pass 1 Sep 2015 93,733 miles
Pass 15 Aug 2014 76,022 miles

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 13 Feb 2013 49,533 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly damaged (3.6.B.4d)

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

Fail 12 Feb 2013 49,487 miles

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

Tyre(s) incorrect because different size tyres are fitted on the same axle. (4.1.A.1a)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly damaged (3.6.B.4d)

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

Pass 13 Mar 2012 39,018 miles
Pass 9 Mar 2011 38,232 miles
Fail 9 Mar 2011 38,232 miles

Offside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Pass 19 Mar 2010 35,357 miles
Pass 27 Mar 2009 33,209 miles
Fail 27 Mar 2009 33,209 miles

Offside Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure (5.2.1a)

Pass 3 Mar 2008 30,263 miles
Pass 29 Mar 2007 28,865 miles
Pass 15 Jun 2006 27,420 miles
Fail 15 Jun 2006 27,420 miles

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

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

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

offside rear brake disc starting to rust

Pass 9 Jun 2005 25,488 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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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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N697 FLC is a 1996 Lotus Elan in Blue with a 1,588cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.6%.

Across all 1996 Lotus Elan models, the average MOT pass rate is 78.8% with a typical mileage of 53,185 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 N697 FLC, 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 30 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 N697 FLC?

You can check the full history of N697 FLC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N697 FLC registered?

N697 FLC is a 1996 Lotus Elan, first registered on 27 March 1996.

Is N697 FLC safe to buy?

The MOT history for N697 FLC shows 32 tests with a 65.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N697 FLC 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 N697 FLC. 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.