LOTUS · LOTUS ELAN · Cars
LOTUS ELAN Uncommon
As of 2026 Q1, 4,612 LOTUS ELANs remain registered in the UK — an increasingly uncommon sight on today's roads. Numbers are at their highest recorded level since the model first appeared in our data in 2014 Q3. Unusually, the numbers are actually rising — up 46 (1.0%) over the past year, as imports and barn-finds rejoin the register faster than cars leave it. Tellingly, 46% are declared SORN — kept off the road in garages and barns rather than driven, the signature of a car being looked after rather than used up.
Survivors over time
How rare is it?
Uncommon — a few thousand still about (4,612).
Rarer than 21% of the 2,429 UK car models we track.
Fuel breakdown
Trend
About the ELAN
Lotus Elan is the name of two separate ranges of automobiles produced by Lotus Cars. The first series of cars was produced between 1962 and 1975 as a rear-wheel drive vehicle. The second series was produced between 1989 and 1995 as a front-wheel drive vehicle co-developed with Isuzu and entirely decoupled from the 1962-75 cars from an engineering perspective.
LOTUS ELAN — questions & answers
How many LOTUS ELAN are left in the UK?
As of 2026 Q1, 4,612 LOTUS ELAN were still registered in the UK — 2,502 licensed and on the road, plus 2,110 declared SORN (off-road). The figures come from official DVLA vehicle licensing data.
Is the LOTUS ELAN rare?
The LOTUS ELAN is uncommon, with 4,612 still about, making it rarer than 21% of the 2,429 UK car models we track.
Is the LOTUS ELAN increasing or decreasing?
Over the last year the number of LOTUS ELAN on UK roads rose by 46 (1.0%).
What fuel do most LOTUS ELAN use?
Most LOTUS ELAN run on petrol — about 100% of those still registered, with the rest split across diesel, electric.
When did the LOTUS ELAN peak?
The LOTUS ELAN peaked at 4,612 registered in 2026 Q1, and was first recorded in the data in 2014 Q3.