1975 Lotus Elan 1.6L Petrol · RCL 613M

The 1975 Lotus Elan holds a stable and improving maintenance record, passing its three most recent MOT tests with no defects recorded. The latest test on 12 September 2025 at 17,681 miles returned a clean pass, confirming the vehicle's roadworthiness at that point. The trend shifted from the 2022 failure at 17,609 miles, which the record shows with no defects listed, to three consecutive passes, indicating the previous issue was resolved or addressed. The mileage pattern reveals an exceptionally low annual accumulation of roughly 24 miles per year since the 2022 test, with the odometer advancing only 72 miles across three years. This suggests the vehicle has seen long periods of storage or minimal use, which is consistent with a low-mileage classic but introduces risks of deterioration from standing. The gap between the 2022 failure and the 2023 pass at 17,612 miles shows just 3 miles added, reinforcing the picture of a car that has not been driven regularly. The 2022 failure with no defects recorded is a notable anomaly in the DVSA data and requires clarification from the testing station or the seller. A buyer should prioritise a thorough in-person inspection of structural integrity, undercarriage corrosion, suspension bushes, coil springs, brake discs and calipers, and exhaust emissions. Low mileage on a 51-year-old vehicle can mask rubber degradation, fluid breakdown, and standing damage that a regular-use car would reveal through normal operation, so a comprehensive mechanical check before purchase is essential.