MOT performance
Lotus Elise MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 10,204 MOT tests of the Lotus Elise in 2023–2024, 85.4% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Lotus Elises failed 48% less often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits”, on 1.91% of tests.
10,204 MOT tests on 5,672 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
Check a specific car's MOT history and running costsAt a glance
| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 85.4% | ±0.7 pts (95%), n = 10,204 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.52× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 2.1% | n = 10,204 |
| Average age at test | 18.8 years | n = 10,204 |
| Median mileage at test | 43,547 miles | n = 10,204 |
| Vehicles tested | 5,672 | 2023–2024 |
Where Lotus Elises fail
The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 6.4% | -45% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.5% | +1% |
| Driver's view of the road | 3.2% | -43% |
| Brakes | 2.1% | -72% |
| Suspension | 1.9% | -78% |
| Tyres | 1.0% | -76% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.9% | +87% |
| Steering | 0.8% | -57% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 0.5% | -89% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.1% | -95% |
| Road wheels | 0.1% | -69% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | +91% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.91% |
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.44% |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits | Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.29% |
| Headlamp aim: too high | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.16% |
| Washers: not working | Driver's view of the road | 1.07% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 1.04% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Driver's view of the road | 0.94% |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits | Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.90% |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits | Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.83% |
| Headlamp aim: too low | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 0.82% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 5.11% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 4.45% |
| Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s) | Other | 3.23% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 2.90% |
| Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 2.84% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 321 | 91.3% | +1% |
| 5-6 | 320 | 93.4% | -43% |
| 7-8 | 382 | 93.7% | -58% |
| 9-10 | 272 | 89.3% | -46% |
| 11-12 | 222 | 86.5% | -46% |
| 13-15 | 774 | 86.3% | -52% |
| 16+ | 7,803 | 84.0% | -48% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 365 | 87.4% | 0.42× |
| 2007 | 447 | 86.4% | 0.44× |
| 2006 | 459 | 85.4% | 0.46× |
| 2005 | 490 | 90.2% | 0.30× |
| 2004 | 474 | 84.4% | 0.46× |
| 2003 | 574 | 85.5% | 0.42× |
| 2002 | 812 | 85.0% | 0.45× |
| 2001 | 525 | 85.3% | 0.45× |
| 2000 | 995 | 83.3% | 0.53× |
| 1999 | 1,299 | 82.3% | 0.58× |
| 1998 | 1,228 | 81.3% | 0.68× |
| 1997 | 440 | 80.0% | 0.77× |
Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.
Check a specific Lotus Elise
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.