At a Glance
The Lotus Elise S3 has 48 distinct MOT failure types recorded below from real DVSA tests. No single fault occurs significantly more often than the UK fleet average — the Elise tracks the baseline rather than showing a model-specific pattern. Bodywork is the most common MOT failure category. Based on 5K 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 Elise S3 — 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 Elise S3 MOT Pass Rate
Across 5K MOT tests from DVSA data, the Lotus Elise S3 (2011–2021) has a fail rate of 10.7%.
UK average fail rate (2011–2021): 35.4%
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Lotus Elise S3 owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Lotus Elise S3 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 Elise S3, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.
104 distinct problems · 1,623 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 Elise Generations
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Lotus Elise S3 problems?
Based on DVSA MOT data for the Lotus Elise S3 (2011–2021), we have identified 0 common problems. Bodywork is the most common MOT failure category.
How reliable is the Lotus Elise S3?
This generation has 5K MOT tests on record with a 10.7% 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 Elise S3?
There are 48 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the S3 (2011–2021), 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 Elise S3?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Lotus Elise owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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