2011 Lotus Elise — MOT failures & pass rate
311 MOT tests on the 2011 Lotus Elise are in this dataset, and 88.4% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 23.2% of the time, so this is 11.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.8%) and suspension (3.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, shock absorbers and catalyst emissions — headlamp aim alone was recorded 12 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 5.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.8% once past 60-90k — 4.5× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 13.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.8% | 18 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.2% | 10 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.3% | 7 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 6 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.9% | 6 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.6% | 5 |
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 | 12 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 10 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 9 |
| 4 | Wipers | 5 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 5 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 5 |
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 | 13.2% | 41 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 8.7% | 27 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.7% | 24 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.4% | 23 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.2% | 10 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.6% | 5 |
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 | 105 | 5.7% |
| 30-60k | 173 | 12.7% |
| 60-90k | 31 | 25.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 63 | 11.1% |
| 2022 | 65 | 10.8% |
| 2023 | 60 | 13.3% |
| 2024 | 61 | 11.5% |
| 2025 | 62 | 11.3% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Elise
On a 2011 Elise, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (5.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (3.2% 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.
- Visibility (2.3% 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 2011 Lotus Elises pass their MOT?
88.4% of the 311 2011 Lotus Elise MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Lotus Elise?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.8% of tests, followed by suspension (3.2%).
Does the 2011 Elise get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.7% in the 0-30k band to 25.8% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 311 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.