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R52 XWO

1998 Lotus Esprit

Blue Petrol 3506cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Feb 2027
Tests9 (8 pass, 1 fail)
Pass rate88.9%

Mileage

32,535 mi
Last recorded32,535 miles
Recorded on6 Feb 2026
Typical for 1998 Lotus Esprit48,579 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

RegistrationR52 XWO
MakeLotus
ModelEsprit
Year1998
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,506cc
View full Lotus Esprit reliability data

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MOT History

8 pass 1 fail
Pass 6 Feb 2026 32,535 miles
Pass 18 Feb 2025 32,531 miles
Pass 2 Sep 2023 32,501 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 12 Oct 2021 32,317 miles

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

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

Pass 1 Apr 2011 31,326 miles
Pass 18 Jun 2010 30,218 miles
Pass 17 Apr 2008 27,431 miles
Pass 13 Aug 2005 24,424 miles

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

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

Fail 10 Aug 2005 24,380 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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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R52 XWO is a 1998 Lotus Esprit in Blue with a 3,506cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 9 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 88.9%.

Across all 1998 Lotus Esprit models, the average MOT pass rate is 85.0% with a typical mileage of 48,579 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

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 R52 XWO, 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 28 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 R52 XWO?

You can check the full history of R52 XWO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R52 XWO registered?

R52 XWO is a 1998 Lotus Esprit, first registered on 14 May 1998.

Is R52 XWO safe to buy?

The MOT history for R52 XWO shows 9 tests with a 88.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R52 XWO 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 R52 XWO. 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.