Sports car and convertible · 1996–2021 cars

Lotus Elise reliability

The Lotus Elise fails 14.2% of first MOT tests, 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 17,449 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 96/100#25 of 62 sports car and convertibles

Checking a Lotus Elise before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 14.2%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 51% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 17,449; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 2,600; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the Lotus Elise ages

Each point is the share of Lotus Elises of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Lotus EliseAll cars

Lotus Elise first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Lotus Elise	All cars
3	6.9%	12.3%
4	7.3%	14.1%
5	6.1%	16.4%
6	8.3%	19.1%
7	9.8%	22.1%
8	3.2%	25.5%
9	11.1%	28.8%
10	5.5%	31.8%
11	15.6%	34.6%
12	10.3%	37.3%
13	14.4%	39.5%
14	10.4%	41.1%
15	13.8%	42.3%
16	12.7%	42.9%
17	13.8%	43.4%
18	13.9%	43.5%
19	15.8%	43.4%
20	14.7%	42.8%
21	14.6%	41.4%
22	15%	40.6%
23	17.5%	38.9%
24	18%	37.1%
25	16.6%	35.8%

By year

The best and worst Lotus Elise years

2002 cars come out best and 1998 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Lotus Elise MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2019	298	5%	43% fewer fails	7,806
2018	266	10.9%	8% more fails	8,813
2017	323	6.2%	44% fewer fails	12,846
2016	353	7.4%	44% fewer fails	17,632
2015	399	4.8%	67% fewer fails	19,556
2014	328	10.4%	40% fewer fails	25,700
2013	214	10.3%	46% fewer fails	28,419
2011	203	14.3%	40% fewer fails	35,127
2010	395	13.4%	48% fewer fails	35,121
2009	362	9.1%	66% fewer fails	38,157
2008	582	12.7%	56% fewer fails	40,113
2007	788	13.2%	55% fewer fails	36,988
2006	833	13.4%	56% fewer fails	42,911
2005	839	10.3%	69% fewer fails	45,670
2004	879	15.5%	55% fewer fails	51,986
2003 Elise	1,055	16.6%	51% fewer fails	51,288
2002 Elise	1,476	14.5%	57% fewer fails	50,053
2001	935	13.3%	60% fewer fails	52,509
2000 Elise	1,567	17.5%	45% fewer fails	51,021
1999 Elise	2,493	16.4%	48% fewer fails	53,827
1998 Elise	2,138	18.6%	40% fewer fails	56,809
1997	364	19.2%	37% fewer fails	52,789

Common problems

What fails most on a Lotus Elise

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics6.3%47% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.4%9% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3%48% below avg
Brakes2.3%71% below avg
Suspension1.8%80% below avg
Tyres1%77% below avg
Steering0.8%56% below avg
Number plates and VIN0.8%50% above avg
Body, chassis and structure0.5%90% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Lambda reading outside specified limits 1.54% of tests
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
2
Position lamp not working 1.21% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
3
Carbon monoxide high after fast idle 1.15% of tests
High carbon monoxide can point to engine or catalytic converter faults, so ask for diagnosis before buying.
4
Headlamp aim set too high 1.08% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.89% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
6
Windscreen washers not working 0.8% of tests
Without working washers the windscreen cannot be cleaned while driving, which is a safety risk in dirty weather.
7
Headlamp aim set too low 0.72% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.7% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Lotus Elise's MOT certificate most often.

Brake disc pitted or scored4.18%
Tyre worn close to legal limit3.86%
Slight play in steering rack joints2.51%
Brake pads wearing thin2.44%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking2.1%
Coil spring showing some corrosion2.1%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Lotus Elise

1
Lambda reading outside specified limits
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
2
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
3
Carbon monoxide high after fast idle
High carbon monoxide can point to engine or catalytic converter faults, so ask for diagnosis before buying.
4
Headlamp aim set too high
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Lotus Elise covers about 2,600 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol100%
Electric0%

Most common colours

Blue, Silver, Red, Grey, Yellow

Average engine size: 1.8 litres.

Compare

How the Lotus Elise compares with its rivals

Lotus Elise against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Aston Martin DB9	9%	67% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Aston Martin Vantage	6%	65% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi R8	7.7%	63% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Honda S2000	18.5%	51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Lotus Elise	14.2%	51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Nissan 350 Z	26.1%	33% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
MGF	34.1%	about average for its age

Every sports car and convertible ranked in the sports car and convertible reliability index, or all Lotus models.

Questions

Lotus Elise questions, answered

Is the Lotus Elise reliable?

On MOT results, the Lotus Elise is better than average: it fails 14.2% of first MOT tests, 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 25 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.

What fails most on a Lotus Elise MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Lotus Elise are lambda reading outside specified limits (1.54% of tests), position lamp not working (1.21% of tests), carbon monoxide high after fast idle (1.15% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 6.3% of its tests.

Which Lotus Elise year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2002 cars do best (57% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1998 cars do worst (40% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Lotus Elise do a year?

A typical Lotus Elise covers about 2,600 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Lotus Elise before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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