Lotus ELISE - 1998
107.3 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1998 is 342.9 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Lotus ELISE, model year 1998.
Sample size: 700 cars, 1,328 tests and 1,425 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: 700 cars
The 1998 Lotus Elise exhibits a significantly lower overall defect rate compared to the average car of the same year, with 107 defects per 100 vehicles compared to 339. This model performs particularly well in categories such as brakes, steering, and visibility, with defect rates that are substantially lower than the average. Mileage-related trends indicate that as mileage increases, the defect rate for the Elise rises sharply, especially in the highest mileage category, suggesting that older models may experience more issues. Notably, the Elise has exceptionally low defect rates in body structure and equipment, highlighting its reliability in these areas. Overall, the Elise stands out positively in several key categories, making it a compelling choice for enthusiasts.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 700 cars
Categories
Brakes
▲ 69.7% better
45.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 149.4 / 100 tests
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
- Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
- Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
Steering
▲ 64.8% better
9.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.6 / 100 tests
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- 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: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
Visibility
▲ 57.0% better
11.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 26.3 / 100 tests
- 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
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
- Wiper blade: defective
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 55.3% better
29.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 66.7 / 100 tests
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- 4.3.1 (a) (iii)
- Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
- Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
- Headlamp reflector or lens: slightly defective
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 65.1% better
89.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 257.8 / 100 tests
- A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
Body/Structure
▲ 97.4% better
2.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 80.5 / 100 tests
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- A door will not open using the relevant control or close properly
Equipment
▲ 89.7% better
2.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 20.4 / 100 tests
- Audible warning:
- A seat belt:
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
- Audible warning:
- Speedometer: not working
Other
▲ 57.3% better
25.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 59.0 / 100 tests
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
- Emissions test unable to be completed
- 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
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: 140
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 107
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 85
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 77
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 74
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 57
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 46
A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 45
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 41
Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 41
Serious faults (Top 10)
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 57
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 46
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 36
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 33
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 31
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 21
4.3.1 (a) (iii)
FAIL
Occurrences: 15
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 12
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
Emissions test unable to be completed
FAIL
Occurrences: 10