Is the 2017 LOTUS ELISE reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of LOTUS ELISEs from 2017 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 160 tests. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2017 LOTUS ELISE cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,777 (£148/month), including £1327 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2017 LOTUS ELISE?

The 2017 LOTUS ELISE has a 94% MOT pass rate based on 160 tests in 2026. This ranks 100 out of 579 cars from 2017.

Which year LOTUS ELISE is most reliable?

The 2020 LOTUS ELISE has the highest MOT pass rate at 98%. The least reliable year is 1997 at 83%.

LOTUS ELISE (2017)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2017 LOTUS ELISE?

The average mileage for a 2017 LOTUS ELISE is 15,467 miles, which is significantly below the expected 66,600 miles for a 9-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 160 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,777

£148/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1798cc Petrol

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £1777/year to run. 12 points above average.

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Petrol1798cc9 years old160 tests15k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1798cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,777

Per month£148/mo

Per week£34/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the LOTUS brand average of 90%.

At 9 years old, 94% of LOTUS ELISEs from 2017 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 160 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 15,467 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2017 cars100th of 579(top 17%)

Rank among LOTUS models27th of 84(top 32%)

vs national average+12%(82% avg)

vs 2017 cars average+7%(87% avg)

vs LOTUS average+4%(90% avg)

Mileage Analysis

15,467

Average miles

66,600

Expected for age

The average 2017 LOTUS ELISE has 15,467 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 66,600 miles for a 9-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 98% MOT pass rate, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 83%. The 2017 sits between the two at 94%.

LOTUS ELISE by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	98%	99	6,662 mi
2020	98%	125	7,895 mi
2019	95%	168	9,957 mi
2018	90%	138	12,770 mi
2017	94%	160	15,467 mi
2016	93%	184	22,486 mi
2015	97%	196	20,795 mi
2014	92%	170	29,609 mi
2013	95%	112	32,059 mi
2011	90%	86	38,630 mi
2010	88%	193	42,034 mi
2009	92%	161	39,212 mi
2008	91%	251	46,048 mi
2007	91%	391	43,309 mi
2006	89%	441	47,541 mi
2005	92%	379	52,160 mi
2004	88%	453	59,878 mi
2003	90%	518	53,891 mi
2002	90%	740	52,926 mi
2001	91%	440	54,642 mi
2000	85%	834	57,132 mi
1999	88%	1,729	58,352 mi
1998	85%	1,897	64,125 mi
1997	83%	642	55,220 mi
1996	90%	80	58,568 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VAUXHALL CORSA

2015 · 1398cc Petrol

£1,722/year

78%

-16%

FORD FOCUS

2015 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,677/year

85%

-9%

NISSAN QASHQAI

2015 · 1400cc Petrol

£1,572/year

81%

-13%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2019 · 1498cc Petrol

£1,582/year

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About the 2017 LOTUS ELISE

The 2017 LOTUS ELISE is a family car with a 1798cc petrol engine. 160 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 17% of all 2017 cars for reliability.

With an average of 15,467 miles at 9 years old, LOTUS ELISE owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2017 LOTUS ELISE Fuel Costs

The 1798cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2017 LOTUS ELISE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,777 (£148/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

LOTUS ELISE Reliability Trend

Newer LOTUS ELISEs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 5 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2017 LOTUS ELISE

At 9 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 98%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2017 LOTUS ELISE's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 9 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2017 LOTUS ELISE stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
LOTUS ELISE(2017)	94%	£1327	£195	Grp 18-32	£1777
VAUXHALL CORSA(2015)	78%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£55
FORD FOCUS(2015)	85%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677-£100
NISSAN QASHQAI(2015)	81%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1572-£205
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019)	92%	£1137	£190	Grp 12-25	£1582-£195

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.