The MOT Files

Make overview

Lotus MOT pass rates by model

Data updated

Quick answer

Lotus cars pass 86.0% of MOT tests across 9,058 recorded tests, against a national average of 72.3%. We hold data for 5 Lotus models. The item recorded most often on a failed Lotus is lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer.

Tests analysed
9,058
Unadjusted pass rate
86.0%
Models with data
5

Unadjusted, not ranked

Other Lotus models with MOT data

These models have at least 500 recorded tests, but their tested examples do not span enough ages and mileages to rank fairly. Their failure and advisory patterns are still drawn from real tests.

ModelUnadjusted pass rateTests
Lotus Elise86.1%5,060
Lotus Exige91.0%1,298
Lotus Elan77.3%1,267
Lotus Esprit86.5%727
Lotus Evora91.2%706

Across the range

What Lotus cars fail on most

Share of failed Lotus tests recording each item, summed across every model above.

  1. 1.Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer11.4%

    Emissions above the permitted limit explained

  2. 2.The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements9.0%

    Headlamp aim incorrect explained

  3. 3.Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits8.9%

    Emissions above the permitted limit explained

  4. 4.Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement8.4%

    Parking brake efficiency too low explained

  5. 5.A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning7.8%

    Lamp not working explained

  6. 6.Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen7.0%

    Wiper or washer not working properly explained

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate for Lotus?
Across 9,058 recorded MOT tests, 86.0% of Lotus tests ended in a pass, against a national average of 72.3%. A make-level figure blends very different cars, so the individual model pages are the more useful comparison.
What do Lotus cars most often fail their MOT on?
The most commonly recorded failure item across Lotus tests is "Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer", appearing in 11.4% of failed tests. One failed test can list several items, so these shares do not add up to 100%.
Why do some Lotus models not have a pass rate ranking?
A model is only ranked when its tested examples cover a wide enough spread of ages and mileages for a fair comparison. 0 of the 5 Lotus models here qualify. For the rest we publish the unadjusted rate and the failure patterns, but not a rank, because comparing unadjusted rates mostly sorts cars by how new they are.

How to read these figures

Why the adjusted rate is the fair one

An unadjusted pass rate is strongly driven by the age and mileage of the cars being tested, not by how well they were built. A model bought mainly as a lightly used second car will look better than an identical car sold to high-mileage drivers. Adjusting for age and mileage compares each model against cars that have lived a similar life.

For a specific car, its own record beats any model average — check that vehicle’s MOT history and read what testers actually recorded against it.

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