2000 Lotus Exige — MOT failures & pass rate
276 MOT tests on the 2000 Lotus Exige are in this dataset, and 88.8% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (26.5% fail rate), the 2000 Exige comes out 15.3pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.1%) and emissions & environmental (6.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, position lamp and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 38 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 16.7% once past 60-90k — 2.6× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 10.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 12.5% in 2021 to 10.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.1% | 25 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 6.2% | 17 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.2% | 6 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.2% | 6 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.2% | 6 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.7% | 2 |
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 | 38 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 10 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 8 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 5 |
| 5 | Horn | 4 |
| 6 | Washers | 4 |
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 | 10.9% | 30 |
| 2 | Tyres | 7.2% | 20 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.9% | 19 |
| 4 | Suspension | 6.5% | 18 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.6% | 10 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.2% | 6 |
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 | 108 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 113 | 13.3% |
| 60-90k | 48 | 16.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 48 | 12.5% |
| 2022 | 55 | 10.9% |
| 2023 | 61 | 14.8% |
| 2024 | 55 | 7.3% |
| 2025 | 57 | 10.5% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Exige
On a 2000 Exige, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (6.2% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Visibility (2.2% 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 Exiges pass their MOT?
88.8% of the 276 2000 Lotus Exige MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Lotus Exige?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.1% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (6.2%).
Does the 2000 Exige get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 16.7% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 276 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.