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RHM 220

1996 Lotus Esprit

Silver Petrol 3506cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires30 Apr 2027
Tests26 (19 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate73.1%

Mileage

70,475 mi
Last recorded70,475 miles
Recorded on1 May 2026
Typical for 1996 Lotus Esprit48,465 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationRHM 220
MakeLotus
ModelEsprit
Year1996
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,506cc

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 7 fail
Pass 1 May 2026 70,475 miles
Pass 24 Apr 2025 70,475 miles
Fail 31 Mar 2025 70,475 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Pass 11 Apr 2024 70,479 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 4 May 2023 70,478 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 13 May 2022 70,476 miles

Fluid leak, but not excessive Coolant (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Oil leak, but not excessive oil cooler pipes (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 12 May 2022 70,476 miles

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

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

Fluid leak, but not excessive Coolant (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Oil leak, but not excessive oil cooler pipes (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 22 Apr 2021 70,476 miles

Nearside reverse light inoperative

Fail 16 Apr 2021 70,475 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

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

Nearside reverse light inoperative

Pass 31 May 2019 70,375 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Fail 31 May 2019 70,377 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

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

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Pass 10 May 2018 70,196 miles

Offside Rear brake binding slightly

Offside rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 25 Apr 2017 69,965 miles
Pass 20 May 2016 69,686 miles

Diagnostic light illuminated

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

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 10 May 2016 69,685 miles

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

Exhaust engine idle speed too high emissions not checked (7.3.D.1)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Diagnostic light illuminated

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

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 13 May 2015 69,566 miles

Diagnostic light illuminated

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

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

Pass 26 Mar 2014 69,051 miles

Diagnostic light illuminated

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

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

Pass 3 Apr 2013 68,730 miles

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

Pass 26 Mar 2012 68,051 miles

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

Rear brake discs rusty on inside

Pass 24 Mar 2011 67,023 miles

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

Pass 20 Oct 2009 66,670 miles

Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

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

head lamp reflectors slightly deterioated

Pass 17 Sep 2008 65,638 miles

both front tyres cutting out on inner edges

Fail 6 Sep 2007 63,391 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Pass 6 Sep 2007 63,391 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 2 Aug 2006 60,285 miles
Fail 2 Aug 2006 60,285 miles

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

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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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RHM 220 is a 1996 Lotus Esprit in Silver with a 3,506cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 73.1%.

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 RHM 220, 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 RHM 220?

You can check the full history of RHM 220 by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was RHM 220 registered?

RHM 220 is a 1996 Lotus Esprit, first registered on 30 December 1996.

Is RHM 220 safe to buy?

The MOT history for RHM 220 shows 26 tests with a 73.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does RHM 220 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 RHM 220. 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.