2005 Lotus Exige — MOT failures & pass rate
422 MOT tests on the 2005 Lotus Exige are in this dataset, and 89.3% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.6% of the time, so this is 17.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.2%) and visibility (4.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are washers, catalyst emissions and position lamp — washers alone was recorded 15 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.0% in the 0-30k band and 15.9% in the 90-120k band, a 7.9-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 12.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 9.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.2% | 22 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.0% | 17 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 3.1% | 13 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.9% | 8 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.7% | 7 |
| 6 | Other defects | 1.2% | 5 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washers | 15 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 12 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 8 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 7 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 6 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 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 | 12.8% | 54 |
| 2 | Tyres | 9.2% | 39 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.1% | 34 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 5.7% | 24 |
| 5 | Other defects | 2.4% | 10 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.9% | 8 |
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 | 137 | 8.0% |
| 30-60k | 149 | 11.4% |
| 60-90k | 81 | 11.1% |
| 90-120k | 44 | 15.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 84 | 9.5% |
| 2022 | 91 | 14.3% |
| 2023 | 86 | 10.5% |
| 2024 | 75 | 5.3% |
| 2025 | 86 | 12.8% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Exige
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 5.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (5.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (4.0% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (3.1% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2005 Lotus Exiges pass their MOT?
89.3% of the 422 2005 Lotus Exige MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Lotus Exige?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.2% of tests, followed by visibility (4.0%).
Does the 2005 Exige get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.0% in the 0-30k band to 15.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 422 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.