Used car guide

1991 Lotus Elan: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Lotus Elan first registered in 1991: we looked at the 1,021 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,021MOTs of 1991 cars, done in 2023–2025
73%pass first time (all 1991 cars: 71%)
2,600typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1991 Lotus Elan?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1991 Lotus Elan than on all cars registered in 1991.

  • Steering rack inner joints2.2× usual
    Lotus Elan
    5% All 1991 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 1991 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 5.8% here, against 15.3% of all 1991 cars. Exhaust system: 4.3% here, against 9.1% of all 1991 cars.

Common 1991 Lotus Elan MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1991 Lotus Elan MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    28% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    24% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Suspension
    15% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    10% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Tyres
    9% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Steering
    9% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1991 Lotus Elan

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 1991 Lotus Elan as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Lotus Elan?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Lotus Elan compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
1996–Too few tests
1995411Brakes 25%
1994232Lights and electrics 24%
1993–Too few tests
1992533Brakes 30%
1990727Brakes 32%
1974–Too few tests
1973–Too few tests
1972–Too few tests
1971–Too few tests
1970–Too few tests
1969–Too few tests
1968–Too few tests
1967–Too few tests
1966–Too few tests
1965–Too few tests
1964–Too few tests
1963–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Lotus Elan cars first registered in 1991. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score