2002 Lotus Elise 1.8L Petrol · 9 PRX

The 2002 Lotus Elise presents a stable and clean roadworthiness profile. The most recent test on 28 July 2025 at 15,834 miles returned a pass with no defects recorded, continuing an unbroken sequence of annual passes since at least August 2021. The maintenance trend shows no deterioration and no advisories across five consecutive DVSA examinations. Recorded mileage confirms exceptionally light use for a 24 year old sports car. The odometer moved from 14,971 miles in the 6 August 2021 test to 15,834 miles by July 2025, a total of 863 miles over four years or roughly 216 miles per year. Such low accumulation implies long stationary periods rather than regular road use. The MOT data itself is sparse and free of faults, offering no recorded wear events on tyres, brake discs, suspension bushes, or structural corrosion to scrutinise. A buyer should still commission a physical inspection beneath the chassis and around the rear subframe. Elise models of this era are prone to aluminium structural corrosion where steel fittings meet the tub, and the clean MOT history does not certify absence of hidden rust. Standing time accelerates perishing of rubber suspension bushes, brake hoses, and damper seals even without mileage. Verify the brake calipers are not seizing after prolonged inactivity and confirm tyre sidewalls show no cracking from age rather than wear. The lack of advisories suggests prior owners kept basic statutory compliance, but low mileage Lotus cars demand hands-on checks the paper record cannot supply.