Lotus Esprit

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 10 model years from 959 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

90%

Total Tests

959

Highest Pass Rate

1995 (91%)

Years Covered

About the Lotus Esprit

The Lotus Esprit was MOT tested 959 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 10 model years (1990 to 2000), with an average pass rate of 90%. That's comfortably above the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1995 model has the highest pass rate at 91% from 102 tests. The 1999 model has the lowest at 83%. The 8 point gap means pass rates vary somewhat between years, but no year is dramatically different. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

The Lotus Esprit has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 51,406 miles, while the newest (2000) averages 44,772 miles.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1974cc)

£1,631

Road Tax

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£2,261

Per month£188/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2000 details

How reliable is the Lotus Esprit?

vs average of all models+8% (82% avg)

vs Lotus brand average+0% (90% avg)

Best to worst year spread8 percentage points

Reliability trendStable over years

Lotus Esprit by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2000	95%	42	44,772 mi
1999	83%	126	49,707 mi
1998	89%	184	62,245 mi
1997	87%	119	47,759 mi
1996	85%	114	56,539 mi
1995	91%	102	55,251 mi
1994	81%	72	63,533 mi
1993	100%	40	59,846 mi
1991	100%	47	48,654 mi
1990	88%	113	51,406 mi

Questions about the Lotus Esprit

Is the Lotus Esprit reliable?

Across its 10 model years in our data (1990 to 2000), the Lotus Esprit averages a 90% MOT pass rate, from 959 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 1995 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 91%.

Which year Lotus Esprit has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1995 Lotus Esprit has the highest MOT pass rate at 91%, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 83%, a 8 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.