Lotus Elise 111S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Lotus Elise 111S car check
Is the Lotus Elise 111S reliable? We analysed 1,126 real MOT tests across 201 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Lotus Elise 111S? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Lotus Elise 111S is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive, exhaust emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lotus Elise 111S.
Lotus Elise 111S Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Lotus Elise 111S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Lotus Elise 111S MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Lotus Elise 111S to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Lotus Elise 111S Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Lotus Elise 111S fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Lotus Elise 111S Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Lotus Elise 111S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Lotus Elise 111S MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lotus Elise 111S year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 195 | 76.4% | 14,600 | 22,480 | 31,500 |
| 2002 | 121 | 83.5% | 16,328 | 23,750 | 31,370 |
| 2000 | 234 | 77.8% | 31,923 | 49,790 | 61,737 |
| 1999 | 496 | 74.6% | 34,169 | 47,403 | 65,005 |
How Long Does a Lotus Elise 111S Last?
Based on 201 Lotus Elise 111S vehicles on UK roads.
Lotus Elise 111S Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Lotus Elise 111S 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 Elise 111S
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
83.5% MOT pass rate from 121 tests
74.6% MOT pass rate from 496 tests
The best year to buy a used Lotus Elise 111S is 2002, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.5% across 121 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 74.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Lotus Elise 111S Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lotus Elise 111S THIS CAR | 77.4% | 1,126 | 38,311 mi | 27 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 |
| Vauxhall Combo 2000 Edition Td | 80.4% | 1,135 | 42,382 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Lotus Elise (81.8% pass rate) and the Lotus Elan (77.4% pass rate), the Lotus Elise 111S sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Lotus Elise 111S 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 Elise 111SShould you buy a used Lotus Elise 111S?
The Lotus Elise 111S has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.4% across 1,126 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 Elise 111S are exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (47 recorded failures), exhaust emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (42), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (39). 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 Elise 111S owner drives around 2,183 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 Elise 111S models stay on UK roads for around 27 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.