LotusElise MOT results
In 2025, 86.0% of Lotus Elise MOT tests were passed first time, better than the 63.7% for cars of the same age. 1.7% had at least one dangerous defect (8.2% for cars the same age). The typical Lotus Elise tested was 22 years old with 44,600 miles. Based on 4,840 initial MOT tests in Great Britain.
RegisterHow many Lotus Elise cars are on the road
- First-time pass
- 86.0%no defects to fix
- Cars the same age
- 63.7%first-time pass
- Fixed at the test
- 2.6%passed after repair
- Failed
- 11.3%needed a retest
- Dangerous defect
- 1.7%same age 8.2%
- Typical mileage
- 44,600at the test
First-time pass rate by year first registered
| Year first registered | Tests | First-time pass | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 92 | 93.5% | 87.2% |
| 2020 | 61 | 98.4% | 85.9% |
| 2019 | 85 | 94.1% | 83.5% |
| 2018 | 67 | 89.6% | 80.8% |
| 2017 | 77 | 90.9% | 78.1% |
| 2016 | 90 | 90.0% | 74.8% |
| 2015 | 87 | 89.7% | 71.8% |
| 2014 | 83 | 89.2% | 68.5% |
| 2013 | 51 | 92.2% | 65.6% |
| 2012 | 36 | 88.9% | 63.2% |
| 2011 | 60 | 83.3% | 61.0% |
| 2010 | 105 | 87.6% | 59.1% |
| 2009 | 92 | 87.0% | 58.1% |
| 2008 | 173 | 86.1% | 57.0% |
| 2007 | 213 | 88.3% | 57.2% |
| 2006 | 209 | 90.4% | 56.8% |
| 2005 | 225 | 88.4% | 57.5% |
| 2004 | 237 | 85.7% | 57.5% |
| 2003 | 261 | 87.7% | 58.5% |
| 2002 | 376 | 83.0% | 59.4% |
| 2001 | 243 | 86.0% | 60.9% |
| 2000 | 459 | 84.3% | 62.2% |
| 1999 | 612 | 84.3% | 64.2% |
| 1998 | 581 | 81.1% | 65.1% |
| 1997 | 218 | 81.7% | 66.4% |
Years with fewer than 30 tests are left out.
By age at the test
| Age | Tests | First-time pass | All cars | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 years | 145 | 95.9% | 87.4% | 8,000 |
| 5-9 years | 393 | 92.1% | 79.1% | 15,200 |
| 10-14 years | 326 | 88.0% | 65.7% | 31,400 |
| 15-19 years | 836 | 88.3% | 57.6% | 43,100 |
| 20-29 years | 3,136 | 84.0% | 59.6% | 53,000 |
Where they fail
Share of tests with at least one failure in each area, against cars of the same age.
A test can fail in more than one area. Failures fixed during the test are included.
Most common failures
The 10 defects that failed Lotus Elise tests most often, as a share of all tests.
| Failure | Tests | Cars the same age | vs same age | Marked dangerous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits Emissions and leaks | 1.9% | 1.6% | 1.2× | 0.0% |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits Emissions and leaks | 1.3% | 1.0% | 1.3× | 0.0% |
| Position lamp: not working Lights and electrics | 1.3% | 3.9% | 0.3× | 0.0% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility (wipers, glass, mirrors) | 1.2% | 1.9% | 0.6× | 0.0% |
| Headlamp aim: too high Lights and electrics | 1.2% | 1.1% | 1.1× | 0.0% |
| Washers: not working Visibility (wipers, glass, mirrors) | 0.9% | 1.2% | 0.8× | 0.0% |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits Emissions and leaks | 0.9% | 0.5% | 1.8× | 0.0% |
| Headlamp aim: too low Lights and electrics | 0.8% | 1.6% | 0.5× | 0.0% |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits Emissions and leaks | 0.8% | 0.5% | 1.6× | 0.0% |
| Emissions not tested: unable to be completed Emissions and leaks | 0.7% | 1.1% | 0.6× | 0.0% |
“vs same age” compares this model with cars of the same age: 2.0× means twice as often. “Marked dangerous” is how often the tester recorded that failure as dangerous.
Most common advisories
Things the tester noted to watch, which don’t fail the test.
| Advisory | Tests |
|---|---|
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 4.8% |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 4.7% |
| Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s) | 3.6% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 2.9% |
| Condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 2.8% |
| Coil spring: corroded | 2.7% |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread | 1.5% |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | 1.5% |
| Ball joint: ball joint has slight play | 1.3% |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 1.2% |