At a Glance
The Lotus Elan Original has 4 identified problems that occur more often than the UK average, with Headlamp defect (aim check required on retest) being the most reported. Electrical is the most common MOT failure category. Based on 22K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on this model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we calculate MOT pass rates and problems →
Below: the full MOT-data picture for the Lotus Elan Original — MOT pass rate vs the UK average, common problems vs UK fleet patterns, the most likely MOT failures by frequency, fault occurrence by mileage band, and pass/fail trends. All numbers drawn from DVSA records.
Lotus Elan Original MOT Pass Rate
Across 22K MOT tests from DVSA data, the Lotus Elan Original (1962–1975) has a fail rate of 17.9%.
All-time UK average fail rate: 34.9%
Common Lotus Elan Original Problems
Owner-submitted reports plus patterns we've identified across 559 million UK MOT tests. Each MOT-derived item below — whether tagged as a Problem, Wear & Tear or Consumable — shows up noticeably more often on this generation than across the UK fleet, which is why it's here. Owner reports are pinned to the top by default; use the sort and filter pills below to view a specific tier or change the order.
Headlamp defect (aim check required on retest)
554
occurrences
Indicator fault
344
occurrences
Horn not working
325
occurrences
Brake pedal fault
70
occurrences
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Lotus Elan Original owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Lotus Elan Original owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Problems by mileage
Common problems, MOT failures and advisories on the Lotus Elan Original, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
386 distinct problems · 15,929 total occurrences in current filter
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Advisory items are MOT tester observations. Frequency can be influenced by driving style and usage patterns.
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Other Lotus Elan Generations
Original
1962–1975
4 problems
Current page
M100
1989–1995
21 problems
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Lotus Elan Original problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Lotus Elan Original (1962–1975), we have identified 4 common problems. The most frequently reported is "Headlamp defect (aim check required on retest)". Electrical is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Lotus Elan Original?
This generation has 22K MOT tests on record with a 17.9% fail rate. A fault is flagged as a "Common Problem" only when it occurs significantly more often on this model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence.
What commonly fails the MOT on a Lotus Elan Original?
There are 124 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the Original (1962–1975), grouped by the mileage these failures typically occur. See the Common MOT Failures section on this page.
Can I report a problem with my Lotus Elan Original?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Lotus Elan owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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