1998 Lotus Elise 1.8L Petrol · S810 BAE
1998 Lotus Elise (1.8L, petrol). First registered 01 Aug 1998. Recorded mileage 78,478 miles. MOT valid until 21 Sept 2027. Taxed until 01 May 2027.
- Make & Model
- LOTUS ELISE
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Glasgow
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 21 Sept 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 May 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 78,478 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
S810 BAE Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 23/09/2026
- 78,478 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 3 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (2 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
S810 BAE MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 1998 Lotus Elise (S810 BAE) between July 2022 and September 2026.
The record contains 5 passes and 0 failures.
The record shows no MOT failures, although 3 advisory notices note items to monitor.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (2 issues), Brakes (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 3 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
S810 BAE Mileage History
- 06/07/202275,164 mi
- 30/06/202376,101 mi+937 mi
- 03/07/202476,821 mi+720 mi
- 28/06/202577,910 mi+1,089 mi
- 23/09/202678,478 mi+568 mi
Average of roughly 786 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Lotus Lotus Elise S1
Our database tracks 3 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Excellent
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
A classic driver's car that appears well-maintained in recent years but carries a history of significant electrical neglect and age-related wear.
When inspecting this Elise, your priority must be the electrical system. The 2016 MOT history shows a cascade of failed bulbs and indicators suggesting the car may have sat for long periods without proper attention. Test every single light, indicator, and the hazard circuit. Additionally, check the wiring loom for signs of corrosion or wear, which is a common point on early Elises.
Check the service history specifically for oil changes and fluid refreshes. The 1800cc Toyota-based engine is robust, but the chassis requires attention. Ask the owner for evidence of work done on the suspension components, as the MOT history noted excessive surface corrosion in the past. Ensure the tyres are relatively new, as the history shows a pattern of cracking from age.
Running costs for a Lotus Elise are higher than a standard hatchback but lower than exotic supercars. The 1.8L engine is surprisingly efficient, often achieving 25-30 mpg depending on driving style. Insurance groups are typically high due to the specialist status, and tax is moderate for this engine size.
Maintenance requires budgeting for specialist parts and labour which can be expensive. Expect an annual running cost of approximately £1,200-£1,600 covering fuel, tax, and basic routine servicing.
Focus heavily on the chassis and suspension points. The MOT history notes 'excessive surface corrosion' to front and rear suspension components in 2016; check if this has progressed on the structural arms or mounting points. Inspect for play in the wheel bearings, as an advisory noted play in the offside front bearing previously.
Check the tyres thoroughly for sidewall cracking. This vehicle has a history of tyres failing due to age/cracking, suggesting it may sit for long periods which dries out the rubber. Finally, check the exhaust system; the car failed on carbon monoxide and Lambda tests in 2018, which could indicate oxygen sensor issues or mixture problems if not were not properly addressed.
This 1998 Lotus Elise sits at approximately 77,910 miles, which is well below average for a 28-year-old vehicle. While it has maintained a clean MOT record for the last five years, a major failure in 2016 revealed extensive electrical issues and emission failures. The car appears to have been used sparingly and cared for recently, but buyers should be wary of the history of suspension corrosion and tyre degradation noted in earlier advisories.
The early Toyota-sourced engines in the Elise are renowned for their reliability, though the bespoke chassis and electrical systems can be temperamental.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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LOTUS ELISE Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1998 model year cars.
- Rover K-Series Cylinder Head Gasket FailureSerious
The 1.8-litre Rover K-Series engine (18 K4F) is notorious for cylinder head gasket failure, largely caused by low coolant volume, thermal shock from the front-mounted radiator setup, plastic locating dowels that fatigue, and cylinder liner height settling. Once overheated, the factory elastomeric beaded gasket fails, allowing oil and coolant to cross-contaminate or pressurising the cooling system. Proper remedial repair requires skimming the cylinder head, checking liner stand-out, fitting steel locating dowels, an upgraded multi-layer steel (MLS) gasket, and an uprated lower oil rail.
- Galvanic Chassis and Suspension Mount CorrosionSerious
The Elise S1 bonded aluminium chassis tub incorporates steel threaded inserts and bobbins for the suspension wishbone mounting brackets. Exposure to moisture and salt on UK winter roads sets up a galvanic reaction between the steel inserts and the extruded aluminium. This causes the aluminium surrounding the front upper wishbone mounts to oxidise into a white, powdery residue and crack or delaminate. Because the bonded aluminium tub cannot be repaired with conventional welding, severe galvanic corrosion compromises the structural integrity of the chassis and will result in an MOT failure.
- Radiator Plastic End-Tank Seam LeakageModerate
The factory-fitted front radiator on the Elise S1 utilises an aluminium cooling core crimped to moulded plastic end tanks. Over repeated heat cycles and British road vibrations, the plastic end tanks distort and the crimped rubber sealing gaskets perish, leading to coolant seepage. Because the radiator is housed within the composite front crash structure beneath the front bodywork, replacement requires removing the entire front clamshell. Specialists recommend replacing failed original units with an all-aluminium radiator featuring fully TIG-welded end tanks to avoid repeating the labour-intensive procedure.
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