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N697 UPK

1996 Lotus Elan

Red Petrol 1588cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires20 Jun 2026
Tests24 (19 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate79.2%

Mileage

35,485 mi
Last recorded35,485 miles
Recorded on17 Jun 2025
Typical for 1996 Lotus Elan53,185 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

RegistrationN697 UPK
MakeLotus
ModelElan
Year1996
ColourRed
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

19 pass 5 fail
Pass 17 Jun 2025 35,485 miles
Pass 21 Jun 2024 35,447 miles

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

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

Fail 20 May 2024 35,435 miles

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

Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 5 Jun 2023 35,396 miles

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

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

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

Pass 29 Oct 2021 35,362 miles
Fail 29 Oct 2021 35,362 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Pass 5 Oct 2020 35,478 miles

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

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

Pass 18 Oct 2019 34,954 miles
Pass 3 Oct 2018 34,216 miles
Pass 27 Oct 2017 33,504 miles
Pass 12 Oct 2016 31,486 miles
Fail 12 Oct 2016 31,486 miles

Hazard warning lamps inoperative x6 (1.4.B.1b)

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Pass 19 Oct 2015 29,415 miles
Pass 7 Oct 2014 27,630 miles
Fail 7 Oct 2014 27,630 miles

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off (1.4.B.1f)

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on (1.4.B.1f)

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Pass 22 Oct 2013 25,810 miles

Sump dented

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 3 Oct 2012 23,237 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 Oct 2011 22,244 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 14 Oct 2011 22,241 miles

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

rear brake discs slightly pitted

Pass 12 Oct 2010 20,572 miles

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

rear discs slightly rusty

Pass 9 Oct 2009 17,864 miles

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 14 Oct 2008 15,393 miles
Pass 9 Oct 2007 12,906 miles

bad dent in sump.

engine runs hot

Pass 24 Oct 2006 10,684 miles

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

engine runs hot before fan comes in.

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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N697 UPK is a 1996 Lotus Elan in Red with a 1,588cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 79.2%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 UPK, 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 UPK?

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

What year was N697 UPK registered?

N697 UPK is a 1996 Lotus Elan, first registered on 11 May 1996.

Is N697 UPK safe to buy?

The MOT history for N697 UPK shows 24 tests with a 79.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N697 UPK 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 UPK. 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.