Lotus Elise Sport 240 (2021)
Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 53 MOT tests in 2024.
Annual Cost
£2,086
£174/month
MOT Pass Rate
96%
Excellent
Road Tax
£200
Standard rate/year
Est. Insurance
Grp 18-32
1798cc Petrol
Great Choice
96% pass rate, £2,086/year to run. 14 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~36 mpg
Standard rate (from April 2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).
Reliability Verdict
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 14 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Lotus brand average of 90%.
96% of MOT tests on Lotus Elise Sport 240s from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 53 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 6,594 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
6,594
Average miles
22,200
Expected for age
The average 2021 Lotus Elise Sport 240 had 6,594 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-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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About the 2021 Lotus Elise Sport 240
The 2021 Lotus Elise Sport 240 is a family car. Our records list a 1798cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 53 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 21% of all 2021 models for MOT pass rate.
With an average of 6,594 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Lotus Elise Sport 240 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.
2021 Lotus Elise Sport 240 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 £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2021 Lotus Elise Sport 240?
Total estimated annual running cost is £2,086 (£174/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 96% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
Buying a Used 2021 Lotus Elise Sport 240
At 5 years old, the Lotus Elise Sport 240 offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. Note: with only 53 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.
Common Issues to Watch For
These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 2021 Lotus Elise Sport 240 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Est. Ins. Group | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lotus Elise Sport 240(2021) | 96% | £1,631 | £200 | Grp 18-32 | £2,086 |
| Volkswagen Golf(2019) | 92% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853-£233 |
| Vauxhall Corsa(2019) | 88% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 8-20 | £2,003-£83 |
| Nissan Qashqai(2020) | 93% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853-£233 |
| MINI Cooper(2019) | 92% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853-£233 |
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.
Questions about the 2021 Lotus Elise Sport 240
Is the 2021 Lotus Elise Sport 240 reliable?
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 96% of MOT tests on 2021 Lotus Elise Sport 240s ended in a pass, from 53 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 14 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.
How much does a 2021 Lotus Elise Sport 240 cost to run?
Our estimate is £2,086 a year (£174 a month): £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.
What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Lotus Elise Sport 240?
96% of 53 MOT tests on the 2021 Lotus Elise Sport 240 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 676th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (top 21%).
What is the average mileage for a 2021 Lotus Elise Sport 240?
The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Lotus Elise Sport 240 is 6,594 miles, which is significantly below the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-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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