Lotus ELISE - 2009
67.6 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2009 is 311.0 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Lotus ELISE, model year 2009.
Sample size: 116 cars, 219 tests and 148 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: 116 cars
The 2009 Lotus Elise has a significantly lower overall defect rate, with 68 defects per 100 vehicles compared to the yearly average of 310 defects, making it 78% better than average. Notably, the Elise excels in several categories, most impressively in Brakes and Steering, where it shows far fewer defects than typical vehicles of its age. Additionally, defects related to Visibility, Lights & Electrics, and Body/Structure are substantially lower than the average, indicating reliable performance in these areas. Mileage-related trends reveal that defect rates increase with higher mileage, particularly in the 93,000 to 124,000-mile category, but overall, the Elise stands out as a dependable choice in its segment.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 116 cars
Categories
Brakes
▲ 70.5% better
34.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 117.5 / 100 tests
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- Cable damaged or knotted
- Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
- Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
- Parking brake inoperative on one side, or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight line
Steering
▲ 89.0% better
1.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 16.3 / 100 tests
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
Visibility
▲ 84.2% better
3.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 23.4 / 100 tests
- Wiper blade: defective
- 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
Lights & Electrics
▲ 77.4% better
18.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 80.9 / 100 tests
- 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
- Headlamp aim unable to be tested
- Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
- A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 77.8% better
66.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 299.8 / 100 tests
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
- 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
Body/Structure
▲ 97.8% better
0.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 41.5 / 100 tests
- A door will not open using the relevant control or close properly
Equipment
▲ 78.3% better
1.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 8.3 / 100 tests
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
- Audible warning:
Other
▲ 78.8% better
7.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 34.4 / 100 tests
- Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
- Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
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: 23
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 22
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 17
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 17
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 5
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 4
A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 3
Serious faults (Top 10)
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
Parking brake inoperative on one side, or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight line
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
Cable damaged or knotted
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
Cable guide defective affecting operation
FAIL
Occurrences: 1
Audible warning:
FAIL
Occurrences: 1