CarVerify

Free Car Check

N956 OGJ

1996 Lotus Elan

Green Petrol 1588cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Aug 2026
Tests30 (20 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

74,828 mi
Last recorded74,828 miles
Recorded on8 Aug 2025
Typical for 1996 Lotus Elan53,185 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Lotus
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationN956 OGJ
MakeLotus
ModelElan
Year1996
ColourGreen
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 10 fail
Pass 8 Aug 2025 74,828 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Shock body corroded. (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Shock body corroded. (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

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

Pass 8 Aug 2024 74,718 miles

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Corroded. (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Corroded. (5.3.2 (b))

Fail 15 Jul 2024 74,748 miles

Emissions unable to be completed Engine misfire. (8.2.1.2 (d))

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Body corroded. (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Body corroded. (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 28 Jul 2023 74,619 miles

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

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread Cracked. (0.1 (b))

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

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

Pass 27 Jul 2022 74,394 miles

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

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread Broken. (0.1 (b))

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

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

Offside Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread Delaminated. (0.1 (b))

Pass 26 Jun 2021 74,127 miles

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

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

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

n/s/f cv boot cracked

n/s/f wiper blade split

Fail 25 Jun 2021 74,127 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

n/s/f cv boot cracked

n/s/f wiper blade split

Pass 1 Jul 2020 73,991 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread Cracked. (0.1 (b))

Front Registration plate insecure but not likely to fall off (0.1 (a))

Nearside Front Position lamp light intensity obviously reduced (4.2.3 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Service brake requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair (1.2.1 (c))

Fail 1 Jul 2020 73,991 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread Cracked. (0.1 (b))

Front Registration plate insecure but not likely to fall off (0.1 (a))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Position lamp light intensity obviously reduced (4.2.3 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Service brake requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair (1.2.1 (c))

Fail 16 Jun 2020 73,991 miles

Headlamp aim not tested (4.1.2 (b))

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

Offside Front Outer Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread Cracked. (0.1 (b))

Front Registration plate insecure but not likely to fall off (0.1 (a))

Nearside Front Position lamp light intensity obviously reduced (4.2.3 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Rear Service brake requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair (1.2.1 (c))

Pass 4 Jun 2019 73,720 miles

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

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

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

Fail 29 May 2019 73,717 miles

Central Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded marked in yellow (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

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

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

BATTERY NEEDS REPLACING ASAP

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

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

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

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

Pass 21 May 2018 73,151 miles

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

Fail 15 May 2018 73,151 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Brake performance not tested burst hose (3.7.A.1) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d) DANGEROUS

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

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

Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play both sides (2.6.2)

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

Pass 8 May 2017 71,755 miles

Offside Front Oil leak ()

Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing both sides (2.7.2a)

Pass 19 May 2016 70,531 miles
Pass 27 May 2015 69,463 miles
Pass 7 May 2014 67,670 miles
Pass 15 May 2013 66,075 miles

inner face of offside rear disc heavily corroded

inner faces of front discs in poor condition

Pass 16 May 2012 64,187 miles
Fail 16 May 2012 64,187 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 1 Jun 2011 62,898 miles

offside front brake binding slightly

Pass 26 May 2010 60,806 miles
Pass 2 Jun 2009 59,761 miles

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

Fail 13 May 2008 57,403 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

offside front brake binding on slightly

Pass 13 May 2008 57,403 miles

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

offside front brake binding on slightly

Fail 25 May 2007 54,639 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 25 May 2007 54,639 miles
Pass 15 May 2006 51,942 miles
Fail 15 May 2006 51,940 miles

Power steering malfunctioning (2.3.3a)

advise rear wheel rims damaged

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

N956 OGJ is a 1996 Lotus Elan in Green with a 1,588cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 N956 OGJ, 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 N956 OGJ?

You can check the full history of N956 OGJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N956 OGJ registered?

N956 OGJ is a 1996 Lotus Elan, first registered on 30 December 1996.

Is N956 OGJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for N956 OGJ shows 30 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N956 OGJ 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 N956 OGJ. 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.