1983 Lotus Excel MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Excel models manufactured in 1983, based on 63 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1983 Lotus Excel MOT Analysis
The 1983 Lotus Excel has an MOT pass rate of 69.8% based on 63 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 52,522 miles on the odometer. With a 30.2% failure rate, the 1983 Excel is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1983 Lotus Excel is Suspension, responsible for 7.9% of failures. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs range from £200–500. Brakes is the second most common issue at 3.2%. Identification of the vehicle follows at 3.2%.
Top failures specific to 1983 models only. The overall Excel 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 | Suspension | 7.9% | 5 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.2% | 2 |
| 3 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 3.2% | 2 |
| 4 | Steering | 3.2% | 2 |
| 5 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 1.6% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 52,522 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 1.51 | 7.9% | 5 |
| Brakes | 0.60 | 3.2% | 2 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.60 | 3.2% | 2 |
| Steering | 0.60 | 3.2% | 2 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.30 | 1.6% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1983 Lotus Excel has an MOT pass rate of 69.8% based on 63 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 52,522 miles on the odometer. With a 30.2% failure rate, the 1983 Excel is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1983 Lotus Excel, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to suspension: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks. At 52,522 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Suspension — 7.9% of failures
Suspension issues account for 7.9% of MOT failures on 1983 Lotus Excel models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Brakes — 3.2% of failures
Brakes issues account for 3.2% of MOT failures on 1983 Lotus Excel 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).
Identification of the vehicle — 3.2% of failures
Identification of the vehicle issues account for 3.2% of MOT failures on 1983 Lotus Excel models. Identification failures relate to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and registration plate. The VIN must be permanently displayed and legible, and the registration plate must meet British Standard formatting. Typical repair costs: £10–50. Pre-MOT check: Ensure the VIN plate is visible and legible (usually in the windscreen or under the bonnet). Check that number plates are clean, undamaged, and use the correct font and spacing.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.