Lotus common problems and MOT failures
From 18,711 MOT tests in 2024, 10.5% of Lotus vehicles failed. Below are the most common reasons, ranked by how often they occur.
Top Lotus MOT failure reasons
| # | Problem | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits the requirements | 349 |
| 2 | emissions levels exceed default limits | 324 |
| 3 | windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 189 |
| 4 | emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 172 |
| 5 | lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 167 |
| 6 | headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 149 |
| 7 | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 144 |
| 8 | significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 122 |
| 9 | lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 102 |
| 10 | brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 94 |
What this means if you're buying a Lotus
The single most common MOT failure for Lotus is the aim of a headlamp is not within limits the requirements, accounting for 19% of all failure items. Headlamp alignment can usually be adjusted for under £30, but bulb or unit replacement varies.
These figures are from real MOT inspections — they show what testers actually find wrong with Lotus vehicles. If you're viewing a used Lotus, it's worth checking these areas specifically.
Buying a specific Lotus? Check the individual vehicle's MOT history for free on GOV.UK to see its actual test results, advisories, and mileage readings.
Check MOT history on GOV.UK