2000 Lotus Elise — MOT failures & pass rate
2,680 MOT tests on the 2000 Lotus Elise are in this dataset, and 86.9% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 26.5% of the time, so this is 13.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.7%) and emissions & environmental (6.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and position lamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 258 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.7% in the 0-30k band and 13.0% in the 120-150k band, a 4.3-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 12.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.7% | 180 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 6.6% | 178 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.3% | 89 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.7% | 72 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.0% | 53 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.4% | 37 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 258 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 104 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 72 |
| 4 | Washers | 63 |
| 5 | Wheel bearings | 37 |
| 6 | Steering rack | 32 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 12.7% | 341 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.9% | 293 |
| 3 | Tyres | 7.8% | 209 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.7% | 206 |
| 5 | Steering | 3.9% | 104 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.4% | 91 |
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 | 643 | 8.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,069 | 12.7% |
| 60-90k | 683 | 16.8% |
| 90-120k | 215 | 15.3% |
| 120-150k | 46 | 13.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 544 | 13.6% |
| 2022 | 555 | 14.4% |
| 2023 | 556 | 11.9% |
| 2024 | 515 | 13.4% |
| 2025 | 510 | 12.2% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Elise
On a 2000 Elise, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (6.6% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Visibility (3.3% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2000 Lotus Elises pass their MOT?
86.9% of the 2,680 2000 Lotus Elise MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Lotus Elise?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.7% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (6.6%).
Does the 2000 Elise get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.7% in the 0-30k band to 13.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,680 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.