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Lotus Evora S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Lotus Evora S car check

Is the Lotus Evora S reliable? We analysed 4,803 real MOT tests across 429 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 4,803 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
88.3%
Typical Mileage
30,284mi
Annual Mileage
2,104mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
17yrs

The Lotus Evora S is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, headlamp aim too low and registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lotus Evora S.

Lotus Evora S Number Plates

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

Lotus Evora S MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

89.8%
2015
91.4%
2014
90.5%
2013
85.3%
2012
87.8%
2011
87.6%
2010
86.8%
2009

Lotus Evora S Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 55
Headlamp aim too low 33
registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced 26
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 16
Headlamp cleaning device inoperative 15

Lotus Evora S Common Faults & Problems

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

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 44

Lotus Evora S Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
1,025 mi/yr
Typical
2,104 mi/yr
Average
2,902 mi/yr
Heavy usage
3,830 mi/yr

Lotus Evora S MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2015 334 89.8% 12,098 19,720 27,068
2014 510 91.4% 14,815 22,236 32,588
2013 410 90.5% 16,893 27,088 38,474
2012 347 85.3% 18,892 29,171 44,553
2011 1,076 87.8% 21,108 32,956 47,023
2010 1,531 87.6% 22,928 34,389 49,564
2009 554 86.8% 21,887 34,866 49,672

How Long Does a Lotus Evora S Last?

Based on 429 Lotus Evora S vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.3 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
17 years

Lotus Evora S Mileage Distribution

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

Median
30,284 mi
75th Percentile
45,301 mi
95th Percentile
70,997 mi
Max Recorded
150,522 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Lotus Evora S

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

Best year
2014

91.4% MOT pass rate from 510 tests

Year to avoid
2012

85.3% MOT pass rate from 347 tests

The best year to buy a used Lotus Evora S is 2014, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.4% across 510 tests. The 2012 model year has the lowest pass rate at 85.3% — 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 S Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Lotus Evora S THIS CAR 88.3% 4,803 30,284 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
Ford Puma St-line X MHEV Auto 93.3% 6,219 19,308 mi — yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Lotus Evora S?

The Lotus Evora S has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.3% across 4,803 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 Evora S are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (55 recorded failures), headlamp aim too low (33), and registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (26). 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.

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 S 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 S owner drives around 2,104 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 S 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 S — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Lotus Evora S reliable?
Based on 4,803 MOT tests, the Lotus Evora S has a 88.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Lotus Evora S?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, headlamp aim too low, and registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Lotus Evora S do per year?
The typical Lotus Evora S does around 2,104 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Lotus Evora S last?
Most Lotus Evora S models stay on UK roads for around 17 years based on our analysis of 429 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Lotus Evora S?
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 S?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Lotus Evora S is 2014 with a 91.4% pass rate across 510 tests.