Lotus Evora MOT pass rate and common problems
93.4% of 1,541 Lotus Evora MOT tests pass.
The Evora passes its MOT 93.4% of the time — well above the average across all Lotus models, which sits at 88.1%.
The Lotus Evora passes its MOT 93.4% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Lotus Evora?
This is the average across every Lotus Evora in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Lotus’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 96.3% at 3–6 years to 90.9% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (19) | 19 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 96.3% | 191 | 14,249 miles |
| 6–10 years | 94.5% | 561 | 23,598 miles |
| 10–15 years | 91.7% | 737 | 48,377 miles |
| 15+ years | 90.9% | 33 | 49,821 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Lotus Evora
The most common reason the Lotus Evora fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 37.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Too low".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 37.4% | Too low |
| Brakes | 27.0% | Significantly and obviously worn |
| Tyres | 20.9% | Has ply or cords exposed |
| Suspension | 19.1% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Visibility | 19.1% | Not working |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 11.3% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Identification of the vehicle | 8.7% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.1% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Steering | 4.3% | Top bearing excessively worn |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.7% | Cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |
Buying a used Lotus Evora: what to check
These checks follow the Lotus Evora’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Lotus Evora comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 94.5% to 91.7%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 95.3% down to 91.6%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 37.4% of failed Lotus Evora MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 6.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 27.0% of failed Lotus Evora MOTs. 3.9% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 1.0% at 3–6 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Tyres
Recorded in 20.9% of failed Lotus Evora MOTs. 6.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on tyres, against 1.6% at 3–6 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
4. Suspension
Recorded in 19.1% of failed Lotus Evora MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 6.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 19.1% of failed Lotus Evora MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 3.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Lotus service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Lotus models
- Lotus Elise — 88.2% pass rate
- Lotus Elan — 79.0% pass rate
- Lotus Exige — 93.6% pass rate
- Lotus Esprit — 89.4% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Lotus Evora?
- 93.4% of Lotus Evora MOT tests pass, based on 1,541 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Lotus Evora?
- The most common reason the Lotus Evora fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 37.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Too low".
- What are the common problems with the Lotus Evora?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Lotus Evora are lights and electrics; brakes; tyres. Rare on young cars, but 6.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Lotus Evora?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; tyres; suspension; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Lotus Evora's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Lotus service history guide for how to check and keep one.