1986 Lotus Eclat 2.2L Petrol · D678 CBF

The Lotus Elite presents an unstable roadworthiness picture. The most recent test on 9 April 2025 at 90,799 miles recorded a failure with no defects listed, repeating the same outcome from 14 March 2025 at 90,782 miles. Prior to that, the car failed on 1 March 2024 at 90,775 miles and again on 6 February 2024 at 90,770 miles before a pass later that same day at 90,776 miles. Four failures against one pass across fifteen months shows a worsening administrative or presentation trend rather than a resolved one, though the absence of recorded defects prevents mechanical diagnosis from the data alone. The odometer shows 90,799 miles against a 1986 build, an average of roughly 2,270 miles per year. The record itself is sparse: between 6 February 2024 at 90,770 miles and 9 April 2025 at 90,799 miles the car covered just 29 miles. Such low accumulation over forty years suggests long storage periods. Standing time on a steel-chassis Lotus invites corrosion and perished rubber, while minimal use leaves brake calipers and suspension bushes unexercised. A buyer must commission a physical inspection focused on structural integrity and hidden rot. The DVSA entries flag no advisories, yet four failures with zero defects imply the tester rejected the car on undocumented grounds such as emissions limits, identity, or presentation. Inspect brake discs for rust binding, check coil springs and suspension bushes for cracking from inactivity, and verify exhaust emissions against type approval. Given the repeated 2024 to 2025 failures, previous keepers likely deferred preparation rather than addressed root causes. Confirm the current failure is cleared before purchase and commission an independent engineer to assess chassis corrosion and drivetrain condition.