Lotus ELAN - 1990
224.5 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1990 is 257.0 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Lotus ELAN, model year 1990.
Sample size: 266 cars, 572 tests and 1,284 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Quick summary
Total: 266 cars
The 1990 Lotus Elan has an overall defect rate of 224 defects per 100 vehicles, which is 12.5% lower than the yearly average of 256 defects per 100 vehicles. Notably, the Elan excels in categories such as Steering, Visibility, Body/Structure, and Equipment, where its defect rates are significantly lower than the average. However, it struggles with Brakes, showing a higher defect rate than average at 131 defects per 100 vehicles. Mileage-related trends indicate that the defect rate increases with higher mileage, particularly in the higher mileage segments. Overall, the Lotus Elan demonstrates a mixed performance, with standout strengths in some areas and notable weaknesses in braking.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 266 cars
More model years for Lotus ELAN
Other models from Lotus
Categories
Brakes
▼ 29.2% worse
131.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 101.8 / 100 tests
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
- Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
- Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
Steering
▲ 67.2% better
8.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.6 / 100 tests
- Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
- Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
Visibility
▲ 32.5% better
14.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 21.2 / 100 tests
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Wiper not operating or missing
Lights & Electrics
▲ 14.3% better
50.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 58.7 / 100 tests
- A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- Headlamp reflector or lens: slightly defective
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 1.0% better
175.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 177.0 / 100 tests
- A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- A wheel bearing: with excessive play
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
Body/Structure
▲ 61.3% better
24.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 62.3 / 100 tests
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
- A door will not open using the relevant control or close properly
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- A transmission: joint, belt or chain excessively worn
Equipment
▲ 68.8% better
4.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 15.7 / 100 tests
- is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
- Seat belt retractor not functioning as intended
- Audible warning:
- Seat belt not functioning as intended or of an incorrect type
- Audible warning not in accordance with requirements
Other
▲ 22.2% better
40.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 51.7 / 100 tests
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Any part of the noise suppression system: insecure
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
Fault rate by mileage segment
Model
Year average
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.
Most common faults (Top 10)
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 114
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 69
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 68
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 66
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 53
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 50
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 49
Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 49
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 47
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 30
Serious faults (Top 10)
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 30
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 23
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
FAIL
Occurrences: 22
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 20
Brakes imbalance across an axle such that: the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. Or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight lin
FAIL
Occurrences: 20
Service brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 19
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 16
Parking brake efficiency: less than 50% of the required value
FAIL
Occurrences: 13
A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 11