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Lotus Evora Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Lotus Evora car check

Is the Lotus Evora reliable? We analysed 2,775 real MOT tests across 402 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,775 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
89.8%
Typical Mileage
19,439mi
Annual Mileage
1,922mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
17yrs

The Lotus Evora is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lotus Evora.

Lotus Evora Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Lotus Evora. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Lotus Evora MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Lotus Evora to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

98.1%
2021
97.1%
2020
94.4%
2019
93.5%
2018
93.6%
2017
91.5%
2016
90.1%
2015
87.4%
2011
80.4%
2010
82.8%
2009

Lotus Evora Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Lotus Evora fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 21
Headlamp aim too high 8

Lotus Evora Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Lotus Evora models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 19
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 11

Lotus Evora Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Lotus Evora owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
889 mi/yr
Typical
1,922 mi/yr
Average
2,627 mi/yr
Heavy usage
3,434 mi/yr

Lotus Evora MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lotus Evora year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2021 53 98.1% 8,785 13,261 32,060
2020 68 97.1% 6,017 9,060 13,886
2019 213 94.4% 6,469 10,874 19,542
2018 356 93.5% 7,628 12,262 19,725
2017 311 93.6% 8,874 13,730 21,452
2016 636 91.5% 12,787 18,195 25,401
2015 273 90.1% 12,553 19,974 27,688
2011 103 87.4% 22,895 31,820 48,930
2010 276 80.4% 22,372 34,598 48,704
2009 373 82.8% 23,558 36,091 48,106

How Long Does a Lotus Evora Last?

Based on 402 Lotus Evora vehicles on UK roads.

Average
8.1 years
Median
8.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
17 years

Lotus Evora Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Lotus Evora MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
19,439 mi
75th Percentile
31,725 mi
95th Percentile
54,356 mi
Max Recorded
842,777 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Lotus Evora

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2021

98.1% MOT pass rate from 53 tests

Year to avoid
2010

80.4% MOT pass rate from 276 tests

The best year to buy a used Lotus Evora is 2021, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 98.1% across 53 tests. The 2010 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Lotus Evora Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Lotus Evora THIS CAR 89.8% 2,775 19,439 mi 17 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
Honda XR650 84.5% 5,377 7,930 mi 33 yrs

Compared to the Lotus Elise (81.8% pass rate) and the Lotus Elan (77.4% pass rate), the Lotus Evora outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Lotus Evora you like?

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Should you buy a used Lotus Evora?

The Lotus Evora has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.8% across 2,775 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common failure point is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm with 21 recorded occurrences. Check for this on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Lotus Evora with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Lotus Evora owner drives around 1,922 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 Evora models stay on UK roads for around 17 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.

Lotus Evora — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Lotus Evora reliable?
Based on 2,775 MOT tests, the Lotus Evora has a 89.8% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Lotus Evora?
The most common failure point is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.
How many miles does a Lotus Evora do per year?
The typical Lotus Evora does around 1,922 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Lotus Evora last?
Most Lotus Evora models stay on UK roads for around 17 years based on our analysis of 402 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Lotus Evora?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Lotus Evora?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Lotus Evora is 2021 with a 98.1% pass rate across 53 tests.