Used car guide

2011 Lotus Evora: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Lotus Evora first registered in 2011: we looked at the 216 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 216 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

216MOTs of 2011 cars, done in 2023–2025
88%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 62%)
3,400typical miles a year
18%had tyres flagged

Common 2011 Lotus Evora MOT failures and advisories

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

  • Tyres
    18% 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.

  • Suspension
    17% 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.

  • Brakes
    14% 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
    10% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    3% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    1% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Lotus Evora

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 Evora?

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 Evora compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021–Too few tests
2020–Too few tests
2019129Tyres 10%
2018173Tyres 8%
2017133Tyres 11%
2016230Tyres 14%
2015108Tyres 11%
2014144Tyres 15%
2013104Suspension 12%
2012–Too few tests
2010277Tyres 14%
2009–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 Evora cars first registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score