2001 LOTUS ELISE1.8L PETROL

This 2001 Lotus Elise has covered just over 43,000 miles in roughly 25 years, averaging around 1,700 miles annually. That low mileage suggests the car has spent considerable time stationary, which can be as challenging for mechanical condition as heavy use, particularly for fluid seals, suspension components, and brake systems. The most recent MOT from March 2010 shows a clear pattern of deterioration in the braking and suspension systems. The front brake discs and pads were already showing wear, with the rear brake disc also slightly pitted. More concerning is the note that parking brake efficiency "only just met" the standard, with an advisory that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. The nearside front shock absorber was leaking oil, and both front tyres were already perished. Free play was also detected behind both steering rack gaiters, indicating wear in the steering linkage. Looking back to the February 2009 test, the same shock absorber issue was present, and there was already slight play in the offside track rod with a slight bend noted. The pattern shows these issues were not new in 2010 but were developing or persistent. The 2008 test showed no defects, but the 2006 test was over three years before that, offering limited visibility into the longer trend.