Used car guide

2011 Lotus Elise: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Lotus Elise first registered in 2011: we looked at the 156 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 156 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

156MOTs of 2011 cars, done in 2023–2025
81%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 62%)
2,800typical miles a year
15%had lights and electrics flagged

Common 2011 Lotus Elise MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Lotus Elise MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    15% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    13% 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.

  • Suspension
    10% 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.

  • Tyres
    7% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    2% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Lotus Elise

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Lotus Elise?

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 Elise compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022–Too few tests
2021179Tyres 5%
2020211Tyres 5%
2019288Tyres 5%
2018207Tyres 9%
2017255Tyres 8%
2016274Tyres 11%
2015282Brakes 8%
2014244Brakes 10%
2013149Tyres 11%
2012–Too few tests
2010310Brakes 10%
2009279Tyres 11%
2008525Brakes 13%
2007647Brakes 14%
2006660Brakes 14%
2005720Suspension 14%
2004702Brakes 14%
2003832Suspension 12%
20021,183Brakes 14%
2001768Brakes 17%
20001,452Suspension 13%
19991,909Suspension 15%
19981,806Suspension 16%
1997657Suspension 15%
1996–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 Elise cars first registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score