Lotus Eclat Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Lotus Eclat car check
Is the Lotus Eclat reliable? We analysed 5,595 real MOT tests across 690 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Lotus Eclat? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Lotus Eclat is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include steering rack gaiter split, brake binding and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lotus Eclat.
Lotus Eclat Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Lotus Eclat. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Lotus Eclat MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Lotus Eclat to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Lotus Eclat Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Lotus Eclat fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Lotus Eclat Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Lotus Eclat owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Lotus Eclat MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lotus Eclat year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 115 | 81.7% | 53,006 | 61,437 | 66,606 |
| 1991 | 255 | 77.3% | 28,099 | 53,091 | 72,809 |
| 1990 | 392 | 76.8% | 18,370 | 42,587 | 71,639 |
| 1989 | 563 | 78.0% | 34,304 | 57,054 | 81,508 |
| 1988 | 496 | 76.6% | 41,875 | 60,407 | 73,452 |
| 1987 | 577 | 79.2% | 32,509 | 56,464 | 79,414 |
| 1986 | 567 | 76.9% | 40,528 | 73,033 | 85,631 |
| 1985 | 498 | 75.3% | 32,167 | 62,046 | 81,329 |
| 1984 | 515 | 73.8% | 48,500 | 66,287 | 85,712 |
| 1983 | 385 | 76.6% | 27,014 | 59,417 | 78,788 |
| 1982 | 235 | 70.2% | 35,132 | 57,924 | 81,160 |
| 1981 | 82 | 74.4% | 49,524 | 68,026 | 73,480 |
| 1980 | 162 | 70.4% | 50,400 | 66,938 | 85,433 |
| 1979 | 219 | 73.1% | 41,049 | 55,228 | 73,121 |
| 1978 | 181 | 74.0% | 53,951 | 70,710 | 79,751 |
| 1977 | 106 | 69.8% | 62,093 | 71,380 | 78,958 |
| 1976 | 178 | 69.1% | 48,065 | 58,636 | 81,808 |
How Long Does a Lotus Eclat Last?
Based on 690 Lotus Eclat vehicles on UK roads.
Lotus Eclat Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Lotus Eclat MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Lotus Eclat
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
81.7% MOT pass rate from 115 tests
69.1% MOT pass rate from 178 tests
The best year to buy a used Lotus Eclat is 1992, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 81.7% across 115 tests. The 1976 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Lotus Eclat Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lotus Eclat THIS CAR | 75.7% | 5,595 | 61,350 mi | 50 yrs |
| Lotus Elise | 81.8% | 150,954 | 38,576 mi | 30 yrs |
| Lotus Elan | 77.4% | 51,097 | 68,432 mi | 59 yrs |
| Lotus Esprit | 80.6% | 25,410 | 52,661 mi | 50 yrs |
| Ducati S4R | 89% | 2,001 | 8,848 mi | 23 yrs |
Compared to the Lotus Elise (81.8% pass rate) and the Lotus Elan (77.4% pass rate), the Lotus Eclat trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Lotus Eclat you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Lotus EclatShould you buy a used Lotus Eclat?
The Lotus Eclat has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.7% across 5,595 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Lotus Eclat are steering rack gaiter split (184 recorded failures), brake binding (137), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (125). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Lotus Eclat owner drives around 466 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Lotus Eclat models stay on UK roads for around 50 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.