2010 · 14 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2010 Lotus Elise MOT pass rate and common faults

118 MOT tests in 2024. 84.8% passed first time, compared with 59.6% for all cars the same age.

142Well above average
Passed first time84.8%
Failed or needed repairs15.2%
Typical mileage at test36,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 118 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.5%
  2. Headlamp aim: too low2.5%
  3. Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements1.7%
  4. Service brake performance: excessively binding0.8%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements0.8%
  6. Valve stem: seriously damaged0.8%
    4 marked dangerous
  7. Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements0.8%
  8. Cable: damaged0.8%
  9. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side0.8%
  10. Washers: not working0.8%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics10.2%
  2. Brakes7.6%
  3. Tyres2.5%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.5%
  5. Emissions & leaks2.5%
  6. Number plates & VIN0.8%
  7. Suspension0.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened6.8%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure5.1%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened2.5%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.5%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: headlamp: not working on dipped beam. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2008 EliseAll Elise years

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2010 Lotus Elise?

In 2024, 84.8% of 2010 Lotus Elise cars passed their MOT first time, across 118 tests. The average for all 14-year-old cars was 59.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2010 Lotus Elise?

The most common failure reasons were headlamp: not working on dipped beam; headlamp aim: too low; service brake performance: efficiency below requirements. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2010 Lotus Elise reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 142, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).