Lotus ELISE - 2004
87.9 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2004 is 384.6 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Lotus ELISE, model year 2004.
Sample size: 278 cars, 560 tests and 492 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: 278 cars
The 2004 Lotus Elise shows a significantly lower overall defect rate of 88 defects per 100 vehicles, which is 77% better than the average for cars of the same year, standing at 382 defects per 100. Notably, this model excels in several categories, particularly in brakes and steering, where it has a much lower defect percentage compared to the average. The Elise also performs well in visibility and lights & electrics, with significantly fewer issues reported. However, the data does indicate that defect rates increase with mileage, particularly in the 93,000 to 124,000 miles range. Overall, the Lotus Elise is a standout performer in terms of reliability relative to its peers.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 278 cars
Categories
Brakes
▲ 69.8% better
49.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 164.2 / 100 tests
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
- Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
- Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
Steering
▲ 67.1% better
8.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 24.9 / 100 tests
- 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
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
Visibility
▲ 63.5% better
10.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.3 / 100 tests
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Obligatory mirror or device: slightly damaged or loose
- 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
▲ 76.6% better
25.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 109.9 / 100 tests
- A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- Lamp: multiple light source up to a half not functioning
- Headlamp reflector or lens: slightly defective
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- 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
▲ 79.1% better
65.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 312.9 / 100 tests
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
- A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
Body/Structure
▲ 96.7% better
2.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 63.6 / 100 tests
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- A body panel or body component: likely to become detached
- A door will not open using the relevant control or close properly
- A transmission: joint, belt or chain excessively worn
Equipment
▲ 81.9% better
2.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 13.8 / 100 tests
- Audible warning:
Other
▲ 77.4% better
11.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 50.5 / 100 tests
- Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
- Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
- Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted
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: 60
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 59
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 34
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 32
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 21
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 18
A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 16
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 16
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 14
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 13
Serious faults (Top 10)
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 14
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 13
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
FAIL
Occurrences: 7
Audible warning:
FAIL
Occurrences: 7
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
FAIL
Occurrences: 4