CarCostCheck

LOTUS EXIGE (2008)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 168 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1796cc Petrol

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £2047/year to run. 7 points above average.

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Petrol1796cc18 years old168 tests43k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1796cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1796cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,047
Per month£171/mo
Per week£39/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

89% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the national average of 82%.

At 18 years old, 89% of LOTUS EXIGEs from 2008 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 168 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 42,736 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 cars64th of 589(top 11%)
Rank among LOTUS models55th of 84(top 65%)
vs national average+7%(82% avg)
vs 2008 cars average+16%(73% avg)
vs LOTUS average-1%(90% avg)

Mileage Analysis

42,736

Average miles

vs

133,200

Expected for age

The average 2008 LOTUS EXIGE has 42,736 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-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 2019 model with a 98% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 87%. The 2008 sits between the two at 89%.

LOTUS EXIGE by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202192%986,384 mi
202095%1649,530 mi
201998%18913,275 mi
201894%15915,610 mi
201795%17617,471 mi
201696%18219,868 mi
201594%17926,709 mi
201493%18423,573 mi
201395%14225,541 mi
201094%13327,160 mi
200996%7433,090 mi
200889%16842,736 mi
200792%16937,419 mi
200688%19344,832 mi
200592%15650,716 mi
200487%9444,899 mi
200196%4938,260 mi
200095%11134,885 mi

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About the 2008 LOTUS EXIGE

The 2008 LOTUS EXIGE is a family car with a 1796cc petrol engine. 168 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 11% of all 2008 cars for reliability.

With an average of 42,736 miles at 18 years old, LOTUS EXIGE 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.

2008 LOTUS EXIGE Fuel Costs

The 1796cc 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 2008 LOTUS EXIGE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

LOTUS EXIGE Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 2008 LOTUS EXIGE

At 18 years old, the LOTUS EXIGE is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 98%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2008 LOTUS EXIGE's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 18 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.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

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 2008 LOTUS EXIGE stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
LOTUS EXIGE(2008)89%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2047
FORD FIESTA(2008)72%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£325
FORD FOCUS(2009)74%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£220
VAUXHALL CORSA(2010)74%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£325
NISSAN QASHQAI(2010)67%£1137£135Grp 12-25£2027-£20

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.

Related Lotus Models

Explore other Lotus cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Lotus Exige.

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