Lotus ELISE - 2003
75.3 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2003 is 380.4 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Lotus ELISE, model year 2003.
Sample size: 345 cars, 647 tests and 487 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: 345 cars
The 2003 Lotus Elise shows a markedly lower overall defect rate than the average vehicle of the same year, with 75 defects per 100 vehicles compared to 378 for the average. This represents an impressive improvement of 80.1%. Notably, the Elise excels in several categories, including brakes, steering, and visibility, with defect rates significantly lower than the average, particularly in brakes, where it is 79.7% better. Mileage-related trends indicate that as mileage increases, the defect rate for the Elise remains relatively stable, particularly in the higher mileage brackets, while the average tends to rise more steeply. Overall, the Elise stands out as a reliable model with fewer issues compared to its peers.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 345 cars
Categories
Brakes
▲ 79.4% better
34.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 169.3 / 100 tests
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
- Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
Steering
▲ 48.4% better
13.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.2 / 100 tests
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- 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.
- Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
Visibility
▲ 67.8% better
9.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.8 / 100 tests
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Obligatory mirror or device: slightly damaged or loose
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Wiper blade: defective
Lights & Electrics
▲ 78.0% better
22.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 102.8 / 100 tests
- Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
- Lamp: multiple light source up to a half not functioning
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 85.1% better
45.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 302.1 / 100 tests
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
Body/Structure
▲ 93.9% better
4.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 65.2 / 100 tests
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- 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 door will not open using the relevant control or close properly
Equipment
▲ 81.6% better
2.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 13.6 / 100 tests
- Audible warning:
- Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
- A seat belt:
- Audible warning:
Other
▲ 64.1% better
18.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 52.7 / 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)
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 49
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 38
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 27
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 21
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 19
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 16
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 16
A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 13
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
MINOR
Occurrences: 13
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 13
Serious faults (Top 10)
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 21
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 16
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 12
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 7
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 6
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Emissions test unable to be completed
FAIL
Occurrences: 4