1991 Lotus Excel MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Excel models manufactured in 1991, based on 129 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1991 Lotus Excel MOT Analysis
The 1991 Lotus Excel has an MOT pass rate of 82.2% based on 129 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 60,612 miles on the odometer. With a 17.8% failure rate, the 1991 Excel is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1991 Lotus Excel is Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions, responsible for 0.8% 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+. Steering is the second most common issue at 0.8%.
Top failures specific to 1991 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 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 0.8% | 1 |
| 2 | Steering | 0.8% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 60,612 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.
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| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emissions & Exhaust | 0.13 | 0.8% | 1 |
| Steering | 0.13 | 0.8% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1991 Lotus Excel has an MOT pass rate of 82.2% based on 129 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 60,612 miles on the odometer. With a 17.8% failure rate, the 1991 Excel is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1991 Lotus Excel, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to exhaust, fuel and emissions: 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. At 60,612 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions — 0.8% of failures
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions issues account for 0.8% of MOT failures on 1991 Lotus Excel 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.
Steering — 0.8% of failures
Steering issues account for 0.8% of MOT failures on 1991 Lotus Excel models. Steering failures include excessive play in the steering wheel, leaking power steering fluid, worn track rod ends, and damaged steering rack. These affect vehicle control and are closely related to suspension wear. Typical repair costs: £150–600. Pre-MOT check: Check for excessive steering wheel play (more than a few inches of free movement). Listen for whining from the power steering pump. Look for fluid leaks under the car near the front wheels.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.