1998 Lotus Elise 1.8L Petrol · S473 APF

The Lotus Elise passed its most recent MOT on 21 May 2025 at 27,242 miles with no defects recorded, confirming it is currently roadworthy. The maintenance trend is stable, with clean passes in May 2024 and May 2025. Two earlier failures on 9 May 2023 and 25 April 2024 logged no defects, suggesting administrative anomalies rather than mechanical faults since both preceded passes days later with under ten miles added. Recorded mileage stays exceptionally low for a 28-year-old sports car. At the May 2025 test the odometer showed 27,242 miles, averaging roughly 970 miles per year. The vehicle covered just 236 miles between May 2023 and April 2024, then 316 miles to May 2025. Such minimal accumulation indicates extended storage, and the MOT trail remains sparse but free of advisories across the three years presented. A buyer must still inspect parts vulnerable to age-related decay from standing. The Elise's steel subframes and suspension mounting points demand scrutiny for corrosion, while rubber suspension bushes and coil spring seats may have hardened or cracked without load. A buyer should check brake discs and calipers for binding after long inactivity, and examine tyres for sidewall degradation despite legal tread. The twin fail-with-no-defect entries warrant verification that DVSA records reflect actual test outcomes and not withdrawn applications. Given the clean recent tests, this Elise appears a lightly used example, but physical assessment of structural integrity and consumables remains essential before commitment.