Lotus Exige: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The Lotus Exige passes its MOT first time more often than the average UK car, by 14.2 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 1,314 individual Lotus Exige tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

What this means if you are buying one

A 90.9% first-time pass rate means roughly 9 in every 100 Lotus Exiges presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is better than average, so a well-kept example is a reasonably safe used buy. The average Lotus Exige tested had covered 28,187 miles and was built around 2012.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. The Lotus Exige sits 14.2 points above the national average, ranked 558 of 2,005 models. On one bought as repairable salvage, the mechanical side is less likely to spring surprises, so your repair estimate should hold up reasonably well.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific Lotus Exige rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see recorded closing bids for damaged Lotus Exiges at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a Lotus Exige

1. Emissions levels exceed default limits, 1.1% of tests (3.23x the national rate for this defect)
2. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 2.9% of tests (1.23x the national rate for this defect)
3. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 1.4% of tests
4. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 1.1% of tests
5. Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits, 0.8% of tests (2.8x the national rate for this defect)
6. Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer, 0.8% of tests (1.49x the national rate for this defect)
7. A tyre seriously damaged, 0.7% of tests
8. Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, 0.6% of tests (3.3x the national rate for this defect)
9. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 0.5% of tests
10. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 0.5% of tests

From 1,313 DVSA-tracked Lotus Exige tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 3.52% of these flagged Lotus Exige defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories on a Lotus Exige

An advisory doesn't fail the car - the tester flags it as worth watching, but it still passes. A different list from the failures above: what testers are noting on a Lotus Exige before it actually fails on it.

1. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 14.4% of tests, also fails
2. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 9.4% of tests
3. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 4.3% of tests
4. A tyre seriously damaged, 3.2% of tests, also fails
5. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 2.5% of tests, also fails
6. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 2.1% of tests
7. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 1% of tests
8. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 1% of tests
9. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 1% of tests
10. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 0.7% of tests

From 1,313 DVSA-tracked Lotus Exige tests, 2024.

Other Lotus models

• Lotus Elise - 87.3%
• Lotus Elan - 78.4%
• Lotus Esprit - 88%

Models with a similar pass rate

• Hyundai I20 Se Connect Mhev T-Gdi - 90.9%
• Vauxhall Corsa Griffin - 90.9%
• Land Rover R Rover Evoque Rdyn Se Dmhev A - 90.9%
• Vauxhall Corsa Ultimate Nav Turbo Auto - 90.9%
• Kia Picanto X-Line S Auto - 90.9%
• BMW 220i Luxury Auto - 90.9%

If this car is a salvage or write-off

• What does Cat N mean? Category N explained
• What does Cat S mean? Category S explained
• Cat S vs Cat N: the real differences
• Do you need an HPI check on a car you know is a write-off?

Embed this data

Run a site about the Lotus Exige? Embed the real DVSA pass-rate badge free, linked back to this page.

<a href="https://www.salvageprophet.co.uk/mot/lotus-exige"><img src="https://www.salvageprophet.co.uk/badge/lotus-exige.svg" width="340" height="92" alt="Lotus Exige MOT Pass Rate: 90.9% - Salvage Prophet"></a>

Run a garage or parts site? Embed the Lotus Exige's top real failure reason instead, linked back here.

<a href="https://www.salvageprophet.co.uk/mot/lotus-exige"><img src="https://www.salvageprophet.co.uk/badge/failure/lotus-exige.svg" width="340" height="106" alt="Lotus Exige most common MOT failure: Emissions levels exceed default limits (1.1% of tests) - Salvage Prophet"></a>

All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate