2001 Lotus Elise MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Elise models manufactured in 2001, based on 6,189 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all Elise cars tested in 2001. Want to see how cars built in 2001 hold up over time?
View 2001 Lotus Elise vintage page → (89.3% current pass rate)2001 Lotus Elise MOT Analysis
The 2001 Lotus Elise has an MOT pass rate of 78.5% based on 6,189 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 46,352 miles on the odometer. With a 21.5% failure rate, the 2001 Elise is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 2001 Lotus Elise is Noise, emissions and leaks, responsible for 0.4% of failures. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs range from £100–1,000+. Tyres is the second most common issue at 0.4%. Brakes follows at 0.4%.
Top failures specific to 2001 models only. The overall Elise page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 0.4% | 27 |
| 2 | Tyres | 0.4% | 25 |
| 3 | Brakes | 0.4% | 24 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.3% | 18 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.2% | 12 |
| 6 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 0.2% | 11 |
| 7 | Steering | 0.1% | 9 |
| 8 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 0.1% | 4 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 46,352 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.09 | 0.4% | 27 |
| Tyres | 0.09 | 0.4% | 25 |
| Brakes | 0.08 | 0.4% | 24 |
| Suspension | 0.06 | 0.3% | 18 |
| Visibility | 0.04 | 0.2% | 12 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.04 | 0.2% | 11 |
| Steering | 0.03 | 0.1% | 9 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.01 | 0.1% | 4 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.01 | 0.0% | 3 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 2001 Lotus Elise has an MOT pass rate of 78.5% based on 6,189 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 46,352 miles on the odometer. With a 21.5% failure rate, the 2001 Elise is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 2001 Lotus Elise, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to noise, emissions and leaks: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help. With relatively low average mileage of 46,352 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Noise, emissions and leaks — 0.4% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 0.4% of MOT failures on 2001 Lotus Elise models. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Tyres — 0.4% of failures
Tyres issues account for 0.4% of MOT failures on 2001 Lotus Elise models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Brakes — 0.4% of failures
Brakes issues account for 0.4% of MOT failures on 2001 Lotus Elise models. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.