Lotus
Running costs, reliability, and MOT data for 12 models from 19,014 real MOT tests.
Avg Pass Rate
90%
Total Tests
19,014
Models
12
Years Covered
1990-2021
All Lotus Models
| Model | Years | Pass Rate | Tests | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elise | 25 yrs | 91% | 10,587 | Petrol |
| Elan | 7 yrs | 78% | 3,029 | Petrol |
| Exige | 18 yrs | 93% | 2,620 | Petrol |
| Esprit | 10 yrs | 90% | 959 | Petrol |
| Evora | 8 yrs | 94% | 716 | Petrol |
| Evora S | 7 yrs | 92% | 703 | Petrol |
| Europa | 2 yrs | 86% | 103 | Petrol |
| Eclat | 2 yrs | 82% | 85 | Petrol |
| Evora 4 V6 | 2 yrs | 88% | 82 | Petrol |
| Elise Sport 240 | 1 yr | 96% | 53 | Petrol |
| Exige Sport 390 | 1 yr | 100% | 41 | Petrol |
| Excel | 1 yr | 83% | 36 | Petrol |
Checking a specific Lotus?
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How reliable is Lotus?
About Lotus Cars
Lotus ranks 48th out of 145 car manufacturers for MOT reliability, with an average pass rate of 90%. That's 8 points above the national average of 82%, making Lotus one of the more dependable brands on UK roads.
With 12 models across 32 years of data (1990 to 2021), there's a wide spread of 22 percentage points between the most and least reliable models. Choosing the right model matters significantly with Lotus.
Most and Least Reliable Lotus Models
The Exige Sport 390 leads the range with a 100% average pass rate from 41 tests. At the other end, the Elan has the lowest at 78%. Overall, more than half of Lotus's models achieve above-average pass rates, which is a good sign for the brand.
Lotus Fuel Types
Lotus models in our data come in 12 petrol variants. The range is predominantly petrol-powered.
Click any model above to see detailed year-by-year reliability data, running cost breakdowns, and comparisons with similar cars. You can also enter a specific registration plate to get a full vehicle report with MOT history, mileage verification, and health score.