Highlights
- Low mileage of under 76,000 miles
- Only four keepers with current one since 2015
- £8,000 spent on maintenance in recent years
- New soft top and head gasket work completed
- Fresh MOT till August 2026 with no advisories
- Garage-kept and used only occasionally
The Appeal
A recession and the MX5 stymied sales of the M100 Elan, but that is great news for modern-day enthusiasts. It has kept the car rare and special in a way that the Mazda simply isn’t. That it is also one of the best-handling FWD sports cars of the last 40 years is reason alone to want one.
Most were sold with the turbocharged version of the Isuzu-Lotus 1.6L engine, which was good for over 160bhp. That may not seem much today, but the Elan complied fully with Chapman’s ‘add lightness’ ethic, so it can deliver the 60 dash in little over 6 seconds.
This pretty red SE Turbo has covered less than 76,000 miles from new in the hands of just four keepers. The current owner bought it in 2015 and has spent over £8,000 on maintenance. Alongside regular servicing, there has been a head gasket replacement and attention to the brake lights.
The condition is well kept and usefully factory-standard, including the two-tone interior and alloys. There are a few light cosmetic jobs that the buyer may wish to attend to, such as refurbishing the wheels and recolouring the seats, but as you can see in the photos, they aren’t urgent. The car will be sold with a fresh 12-month MOT.
History and Paperwork
- First registered 4th January 1991
- Four registered keepers from new
- Current keeper since August 2015
- Garage-kept and used only occasionally during current ownership
- £6,000 spent on new soft top, head gasket and associated works
- Further £2,000 spent last year on brakes, lights and other maintenance
- Fresh MOT till August 2026 with no advisories
- Some invoices available from the vendor
- Factory handbook and wallet
- Service Notes manual
- Various old MOTs as shown
- V5C in the current keeper's name
- Invoices for recent work detailed above
- 2 sets of keys
- Front headlights rotating mechanism has stopped working, the seller is in the process of having these fixed before the auction ends, however they can be opened manually.
The Condition
- Original red paintwork in good order with some minor points to note in photos
- Fibreglass bodywork presents very well with good panel fit and up close finish
- Small black paint mark on the roof cover lid as shown
- Underside as shown in photos with no structural advisories on current MOT
- Factory alloy wheels as shown with some age and flaking to note
- Fitted with quality Toyo tyres
- Supplied with factory space saver with tools as shown
- Black soft top has been replaced during current ownership and is in good order
- Black leather interior with red striping as shown
- Leather seats show light age typical of mileage and age of car
- Vendor states that seats could benefit from refreshment
- Well kept switchgear and trim as shown in photos
- Driver’s side sill cover shows signs of age
- Sony stereo fitted with a handbook included
The Mechanics
- 1,588cc Isuzu-Lotus 165bhp turbocharged engine
- 5spd manual gearbox
- Front-wheel drive
- Starts well, runs fine and drives well according to the vendor
- Head gasket and associated works completed during current ownership
- Recent expenditure of £2,000 on brakes, lights and other mechanical items
- Odometer shows 75,600 miles
- No advisories on last MOT in October 2025
- Car will be sold with fresh 12-month MOT
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand..
