Lotus Evora S MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 9 model years and 1,898 tests, the Lotus Evora S passes its MOT 90.4% of the time. All cars of a similar age fail 21.9% of the time, so this is 12.3pp better than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.1%) and tyres (2.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 51 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.3% in the 0-30k band and 20.5% in the 90-120k band, a 12.2-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 12.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every Evora S model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 180 | 87.2% | 12.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2010 | 527 | 90.3% | 9.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2011 | 395 | 89.4% | 10.6% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2012 | 138 | 89.9% | 10.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2013 | 189 | 92.6% | 7.4% | Suspension |
| 2014 | 265 | 92.1% | 7.9% | Tyres |
| 2015 | 197 | 90.9% | 9.1% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.1% | 77 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.0% | 38 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.7% | 32 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.6% | 30 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.4% | 26 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.3% | 24 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.7% | 14 |
| 8 | Other defects | 0.5% | 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 | 51 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 26 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 21 |
| 4 | Washers | 19 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 18 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 15 |
| 7 | Door condition | 12 |
| 8 | Registration plates | 12 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 12.1% | 230 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.8% | 224 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.9% | 188 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.9% | 56 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.3% | 43 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.7% | 32 |
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 | 674 | 8.3% |
| 30-60k | 870 | 9.8% |
| 60-90k | 301 | 10.6% |
| 90-120k | 39 | 20.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 389 | 9.5% |
| 2022 | 386 | 9.8% |
| 2023 | 373 | 8.3% |
| 2024 | 368 | 10.9% |
| 2025 | 382 | 9.7% |
What to check before buying a Lotus Evora S
- Lighting & signalling (4.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (2.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Suspension (1.7% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Lotus Evora S?
90.4% of the 1,898 Lotus Evora S MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 9.6% fail rate, across model years 2009–2017.
What does the Lotus Evora S most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.1% of tests, then tyres (2.0%).
How much does mileage affect Evora S MOT results?
Fail rates run at 8.3% for cars in the 0-30k band and 20.5% for 90-120k, a 12.2-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,898 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.