2004 Lotus Elise 1.8L Petrol · WU04 GGE

The 2004 Lotus Elise presents a stable and improving mechanical picture, culminating in a fully clean pass on 22 July 2025 at 34,496 miles with zero advisories or defects. That clean sheet is significant given the brake disc issues noted in the preceding test. The 2024 test on 14 August at 34,210 miles flagged all four brake discs as worn, pitted or scored, a recurring theme from the slightly rusty rear discs recorded on 18 March 2019 at 34,117 miles. Between those two dates, the vehicle sat with virtually no mileage accumulation, yet the discs still presented surface corrosion and pitting. The jump from advisories on every disc in 2024 to a completely defect-free pass in 2025 suggests the braking system has received attention, likely through disc and pad replacement, resolving a long-standing pattern rather than simply being masked by a single clean MOT. The mileage profile tells its own story about how this car has been kept. Across roughly 22 years, the total recorded distance sits at 34,496 miles, averaging approximately 1,568 miles per year. The 2021 test on 19 April recorded 34,198 miles, and the 2020 test on 17 March showed 34,193 miles, meaning just five miles were covered in over a full year. Between March 2019 and March 2020, the car added only 76 miles. This is not a vehicle that has been driven regularly. Extended periods of standing are consistent with the brake disc corrosion and pitting seen in both 2019 and 2024, as discs sitting unused will surface-rust and score even without meaningful wear. The modest 286-mile increase between August 2024 and July 2025 does indicate slightly more recent use, but the overall pattern remains one of very low annual mileage with long stationary intervals. A buyer inspecting this Elise in person should focus on the braking system and structural underside condition. Even though the July 2025 test was clean, the repeated disc advisories across multiple tests point to a car that has historically suffered from standing corrosion rather than high-mileage wear. Check whether the current discs and pads are recent replacements or whether the clean MOT simply reflects a period of more regular use keeping surfaces polished. Inspect the front and rear subframes, suspension mounting points, and body mounts for corrosion, as a low-mileage car stored for long periods can still develop structural rust in exposed areas. Examine the condition of rubber bushes, coil springs, and dampers, since infrequent use can cause rubber components to perish from age rather than mileage. Tyre date codes deserve attention too, as original or aged rubber may look serviceable but lack safe remaining tread depth or grip. The clean 2025 result is encouraging, but the history of recurring brake disc advisories and minimal use means a thorough physical inspection remains essential before purchase.