2000 LOTUS ELISE1.8L Petrol

The 2026‑05‑05 MOT passed, yet the record shows recurring minor defects in the near‑side rear wheel, off‑side rear shock absorbers, near‑side front wheel bearing and rear exhaust flexible section, indicating a stable maintenance pattern rather than improvement. With 63,494 miles recorded at 26 years old, the average annual mileage is about 2,442 miles, well below the typical usage for a car of this age, suggesting periods of limited driving or long standing intervals; mileage has risen steadily from 58,225 miles in April 2023 to the current figure, with no abrupt spikes, and the only notable gaps are the two consecutive failures in July 2015 at 44,470 miles, after which the car has been driven consistently. A buyer should therefore inspect the condition of the suspension bushes and coil springs, verify the integrity of the off‑side rear shock absorbers and near‑side front wheel bearing for play or noise, examine the brake discs for pitting or scoring and the pads for wear beyond the recorded limits, check the rear exhaust for corrosion at the flexible joint, look for any structural rust hidden by the under‑trays, and assess the steering rack inner joint and tyre wear patterns, especially the near‑side edge wear noted in earlier tests.