1997 Lotus Elise 1.8L Petrol · M111 CJW

The vehicle maintains a high standard of roadworthiness, evidenced by a consistent history of clean passes. The most recent test conducted on 25 June 2025 at 24,542 miles showed no defects or advisories. This stable trend has held across the last five years, indicating that the vehicle has been kept in a condition that meets regulatory requirements without the mechanical or structural failures typically seen in older sports cars. The mileage pattern is exceptionally low for a vehicle from 1997, averaging approximately 846 miles per year. Between June 2021 and June 2025, the car covered only 874 miles, moving from 23,668 to 24,542. While this low usage suggests minimal wear on the drivetrain and engine components, the long intervals between tests indicate the car likely sits for extended periods. The data is remarkably clean, reflecting a collector-grade usage rather than a daily driver. Despite the clean MOT record, a physical inspection must focus on components affected by low-mileage storage. A buyer should check for perished or perished perished rubberwork, such as suspension bushes and brake lines, which can degrade with age regardless of mileage. The tester should also inspect the brake calipers for corrosion or binding, as seals often dry out when stationary. Checking the chassis for any hidden structural rust is essential to ensure that the low mileage has not masked environmental decay in the aluminum frame.