Lotus Elan + 2S 130 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Lotus Elan + 2S 130 car check
Is the Lotus Elan + 2S 130 reliable? We analysed 840 real MOT tests across 106 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Lotus Elan + 2S 130? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Lotus Elan + 2S 130 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and headlamp not working on dipped beam. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lotus Elan + 2S 130.
Lotus Elan + 2S 130 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Lotus Elan + 2S 130. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Lotus Elan + 2S 130 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Lotus Elan + 2S 130 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Lotus Elan + 2S 130 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Lotus Elan + 2S 130 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Lotus Elan + 2S 130 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Lotus Elan + 2S 130 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Lotus Elan + 2S 130 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lotus Elan + 2S 130 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 93 | 87.1% | 39,443 | 61,920 | 76,807 |
| 1973 | 186 | 83.3% | 17,041 | 44,255 | 70,905 |
| 1972 | 299 | 83.9% | 27,734 | 58,586 | 76,531 |
| 1971 | 191 | 80.1% | 18,121 | 34,803 | 65,130 |
How Long Does a Lotus Elan + 2S 130 Last?
Based on 106 Lotus Elan + 2S 130 vehicles on UK roads.
Lotus Elan + 2S 130 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Lotus Elan + 2S 130 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 Elan + 2S 130
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.1% MOT pass rate from 93 tests
80.1% MOT pass rate from 191 tests
The best year to buy a used Lotus Elan + 2S 130 is 1974, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.1% across 93 tests. The 1971 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Lotus Elan + 2S 130 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lotus Elan + 2S 130 THIS CAR | 83.2% | 840 | 49,459 mi | 55 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 |
| Volvo S40 S | 78.2% | 703 | 99,666 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Lotus Elise (81.8% pass rate) and the Lotus Elan (77.4% pass rate), the Lotus Elan + 2S 130 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Lotus Elan + 2S 130 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 Elan + 2S 130Should you buy a used Lotus Elan + 2S 130?
The Lotus Elan + 2S 130 has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.2% across 840 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 Elan + 2S 130 are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (34 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (21), and headlamp not working on dipped beam (18). 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 Elan + 2S 130 owner drives around 360 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 Elan + 2S 130 models stay on UK roads for around 55 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.