1991 Lotus Elan — MOT failures & pass rate
2,104 MOT tests on the 1991 Lotus Elan are in this dataset, and 77.8% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 22.3%, so the 1991 Elan sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (14.4%) and lighting & signalling (11.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, rbt (sp) and headlamp — service brake performance alone was recorded 213 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 24.3% versus 14.2%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 24.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 22.5% in 2021 to 20.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 14.4% | 304 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 244 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 5.9% | 124 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.8% | 100 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.4% | 72 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.1% | 45 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 213 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 172 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 128 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 118 |
| 5 | Non catalyst emissions | 89 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 88 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 24.1% | 506 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.1% | 443 |
| 3 | Tyres | 9.6% | 201 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.9% | 188 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.2% | 172 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.5% | 157 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 113 | 14.2% |
| 30-60k | 453 | 22.3% |
| 60-90k | 644 | 21.1% |
| 90-120k | 584 | 23.6% |
| 120-150k | 198 | 24.2% |
| 150k+ | 111 | 24.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 435 | 22.5% |
| 2022 | 451 | 23.3% |
| 2023 | 412 | 21.8% |
| 2024 | 411 | 22.4% |
| 2025 | 395 | 20.8% |
What to check before buying a 1991 Elan
On a 1991 Elan, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (14.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (11.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (5.9% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1991 Lotus Elans pass their MOT?
77.8% of the 2,104 1991 Lotus Elan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1991 Lotus Elan?
Brakes, recorded in 14.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.6%).
Does the 1991 Elan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.2% in the 0-30k band to 24.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,104 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.