2009 Lotus Elise 1.8L Petrol · DK59 AYL

This 2009 Lotus Elise has passed its most recent MOT in March 2026 at 109,351 miles, but flagged a concerning issue: the nearside rear inner brake pad is wearing thin. At 17 years old with mileage averaging roughly 6,400 miles per year, this vehicle sits at the lower end of typical use, which can indicate either careful ownership or extended periods of standing. The brake pad warning is the immediate red flag. Brake wear accelerates on lightly-used vehicles that sit for months, because moisture ingress and corrosion thin the friction material unevenly. The fact that only one pad is noted as thin rather than a full set suggests uneven wear, which typically points to a sticking caliper or seized slider pin on that corner. This will need inspection and likely replacement of the caliper or sliders before the next MOT. Looking back through the history, a second concern emerges: in March 2024, the offside rear outer suspension arm ball joint showed slight play. Ball joints should be tight. Even slight play gets worse with time and mileage, and a loose joint will eventually fail, causing loss of control or a sudden collapse under cornering load. At the most recent MOT in March 2026—two years later—there is no mention of this joint being rechecked or re-assessed, which is unusual.