2007 · 17 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2007 Lotus Elise MOT pass rate and common faults

214 MOT tests in 2024. 87.4% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

154Well above average
Passed first time87.4%
Failed or needed repairs12.6%
Typical mileage at test42,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 214 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.9%
    7 marked dangerous
  2. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.4%
  3. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.9%
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.9%
  5. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits0.9%
  6. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps0.9%
  7. Position lamp: not working0.9%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.9%
  9. Horn: not working0.5%
  10. Road Wheels - attachment: more than one fixing missing0.5%
    4 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics6.5%
  2. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.7%
  3. Brakes2.8%
  4. Suspension1.9%
  5. Emissions & leaks1.9%
  6. Wheels0.5%
  7. Number plates & VIN0.5%
  8. Steering0.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm7.9%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened6.5%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.7%
  4. Flexible brake hoses: ferrule excessively corroded2.8%
  5. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened2.8%

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: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2007 Lotus Elise?

In 2024, 87.4% of 2007 Lotus Elise cars passed their MOT first time, across 214 tests. The average for all 17-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2007 Lotus Elise?

The most common failure reasons were brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak; washers: provides insufficient washer liquid. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2007 Lotus Elise reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 154, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).