1997 · 27 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1997 Lotus Elise MOT pass rate and common faults

194 MOT tests in 2024. 76.8% passed first time, compared with 65.5% for all cars the same age.

117Well above average
Passed first time76.8%
Failed or needed repairs23.2%
Typical mileage at test51,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 194 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits5.7%
  2. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits3.6%
  3. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits3.1%
  4. Stop lamp: all not working3.1%
    13 marked dangerous
  5. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits2.1%
  6. Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements2.1%
  7. Headlamp aim: too high2.1%
  8. Catalyst emissions: hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits2.1%
  9. Position lamp: not working1.5%
  10. Washers: not working1.5%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Emissions & leaks20.6%
  2. Lights & electrics14.9%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.6%
  4. Number plates & VIN3.1%
  5. Brakes2.6%
  6. Suspension2.1%
  7. Tyres1.0%
  8. Body & chassis1.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Anti-roll bars - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.6%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded4.1%
  3. Registration plates: inscription illegible4.1%
  4. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)4.1%
  5. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened3.6%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All Elise years1998 Elise →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 Lotus Elise?

In 2024, 76.8% of 1997 Lotus Elise cars passed their MOT first time, across 194 tests. The average for all 27-year-old cars was 65.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1997 Lotus Elise?

The most common failure reasons were catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits; catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits; catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits. The biggest problem area was emissions & leaks.

Is the 1997 Lotus Elise reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 117, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).