Lotus Elan +2 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Lotus Elan +2 car check
Is the Lotus Elan +2 reliable? We analysed 1,562 real MOT tests across 197 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Lotus Elan +2? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Lotus Elan +2 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, parking brake recording little or no effort and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lotus Elan +2.
Lotus Elan +2 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Lotus Elan +2. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Lotus Elan +2 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Lotus Elan +2 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Lotus Elan +2 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Lotus Elan +2 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Lotus Elan +2 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Lotus Elan +2 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Lotus Elan +2 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lotus Elan +2 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 151 | 84.8% | 17,858 | 38,246 | 59,854 |
| 1972 | 97 | 84.5% | 68,845 | 80,770 | 91,474 |
| 1971 | 73 | 86.3% | 14,888 | 24,162 | 92,311 |
| 1970 | 62 | 79.0% | 13,368 | 19,794 | 52,150 |
| 1969 | 265 | 82.3% | 19,180 | 39,638 | 69,831 |
| 1968 | 648 | 83.5% | 17,215 | 42,982 | 73,154 |
| 1967 | 122 | 78.7% | 10,859 | 32,758 | 65,708 |
How Long Does a Lotus Elan +2 Last?
Based on 197 Lotus Elan +2 vehicles on UK roads.
Lotus Elan +2 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Lotus Elan +2 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 +2
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.3% MOT pass rate from 73 tests
78.7% MOT pass rate from 122 tests
The best year to buy a used Lotus Elan +2 is 1971, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.3% across 73 tests. The 1967 model year has the lowest pass rate at 78.7% — 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 +2 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lotus Elan +2 THIS CAR | 83.1% | 1,562 | 44,803 mi | 59 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 |
| Kawasaki ZXR750R | 85.5% | 1,034 | 24,416 mi | 35 yrs |
Compared to the Lotus Elise (81.8% pass rate) and the Lotus Elan (77.4% pass rate), the Lotus Elan +2 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Lotus Elan +2 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 +2Should you buy a used Lotus Elan +2?
The Lotus Elan +2 has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.1% across 1,562 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 +2 are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (61 recorded failures), parking brake recording little or no effort (42), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (41). 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 +2 owner drives around 480 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 +2 models stay on UK roads for around 59 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.