Is the Lotus Exige reliable?

The Lotus Exige has an average MOT pass rate of 93% across 18 years, based on 2,620 tests in 2026. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2019 with a 98% pass rate.

Which year Lotus Exige is best?

The 2019 Lotus Exige has the highest MOT pass rate at 98%, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 87%. There's a 11 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Lotus Exige

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 18 years from 2,620 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

93%

Total Tests

2,620

Best Year

2019 (98%)

Years Covered

About the Lotus Exige

The Lotus Exige has been tested 2,620 times in 2026 MOT data across 18 model years (2000 to 2021), with an average pass rate of 93%. That's comfortably above the national average of 82%, making it a reliable choice. Available as petrol.

Best and Worst Years

The 2019 model is the most reliable with a 98% pass rate from 189 tests. The 2004 model has the lowest at 87%. The 11 point spread between years means reliability varies somewhat, but no year is dramatically different.

Reliability Trend

Newer LOTUS EXIGEs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 3 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (2000) averages 34,885 miles, while the newest (2021) averages 6,384 miles.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 3456cc)

£1,592

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£2,042

Per month£170/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2021 details

How reliable is the Lotus Exige?

vs national average+11% (82% avg)

vs Lotus brand average+3% (90% avg)

Best to worst year spread11 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Lotus Exige by Year

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

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	92%	98	6,384 mi
2020	95%	164	9,530 mi
2019	98%	189	13,275 mi
2018	94%	159	15,610 mi
2017	95%	176	17,471 mi
2016	96%	182	19,868 mi
2015	94%	179	26,709 mi
2014	93%	184	23,573 mi
2013	95%	142	25,541 mi
2010	94%	133	27,160 mi
2009	96%	74	33,090 mi
2008	89%	168	42,736 mi
2007	92%	169	37,419 mi
2006	88%	193	44,832 mi
2005	92%	156	50,716 mi
2004	87%	94	44,899 mi
2001	96%	49	38,260 mi
2000	95%	111	34,885 mi