2006 Lotus Elise — MOT failures & pass rate
1,225 MOT tests on the 2006 Lotus Elise are in this dataset, and 90.2% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.4% of the time, so this is 17.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.9%) and visibility (3.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, washers and catalyst emissions — headlamp aim alone was recorded 40 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 23.3% versus 5.0%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 15.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 10.0% in 2021 to 7.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.9% | 60 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.1% | 38 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.0% | 25 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.0% | 25 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 23 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.8% | 10 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 40 |
| 2 | Washers | 23 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 23 |
| 4 | Wipers | 18 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 17 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 13 |
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 | 15.1% | 185 |
| 2 | Tyres | 8.9% | 109 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.2% | 101 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 5.1% | 63 |
| 5 | Other defects | 2.6% | 32 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.5% | 18 |
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 | 337 | 5.0% |
| 30-60k | 622 | 9.3% |
| 60-90k | 226 | 15.9% |
| 90-120k | 30 | 23.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 249 | 10.0% |
| 2022 | 249 | 8.4% |
| 2023 | 253 | 11.9% |
| 2024 | 245 | 11.0% |
| 2025 | 229 | 7.4% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Elise
On a 2006 Elise, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (4.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (3.1% 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.
- Suspension (2.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 2006 Lotus Elises pass their MOT?
90.2% of the 1,225 2006 Lotus Elise MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Lotus Elise?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.9% of tests, followed by visibility (3.1%).
Does the 2006 Elise get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.0% in the 0-30k band to 23.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,225 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.