Lotus ELISE - 1997
108.7 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1997 is 338.4 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Lotus ELISE, model year 1997.
Sample size: 258 cars, 494 tests and 537 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: 258 cars
The 1997 Lotus Elise has an overall defect rate of 109 per 100 vehicles, which is significantly lower than the yearly average of 335 per 100 vehicles, making it 68% better in this regard. The defect rates increase with mileage for this model, especially notable in the 62,000 to 93,000 miles range, where it reaches 319 per 100 vehicles. The Elise particularly excels in categories such as brakes, where its defect rate is only 38%, compared to the average of 141%, and in steering at just 10% against an average of 27%. It also shows impressive performance in visibility and lights & electrics, both of which are notably better than the averages, reflecting its strengths in maintenance and reliability.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 258 cars
Categories
Brakes
▲ 73.0% better
38.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 141.1 / 100 tests
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
Steering
▲ 62.4% better
10.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 27.4 / 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
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
Visibility
▲ 52.0% better
12.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.2 / 100 tests
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Wiper not operating or missing
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
- Wiper blade: defective
Lights & Electrics
▲ 54.2% better
30.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 65.5 / 100 tests
- Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
- Stop lamp(s): with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- 4.3.1 (a) (iii)
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 64.1% better
89.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 250.7 / 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
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
Body/Structure
▲ 96.7% better
2.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 83.8 / 100 tests
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- A driver’s seat: insecure
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- Bumper: insecure or with damage likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted
- Fuel system: leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap
Equipment
▲ 89.1% better
2.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 22.1 / 100 tests
- Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
- Audible warning:
Other
▲ 48.2% better
31.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 61.0 / 100 tests
- Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
- Emission control equipment fitted by the manufacturer: missing, obviously modified or obviously defective
Fault rate by mileage segment
Model
Year average
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.
Most common faults (Top 10)
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 57
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 37
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 30
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 28
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 26
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 24
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 24
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 20
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 19
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 19
Serious faults (Top 10)
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 28
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 19
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 19
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 16
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
4.3.1 (a) (iii)
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
Audible warning:
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 4