Lotus Exige 260 MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 87 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 14.9%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Lotus Exige 260 MOT Reliability Overview
The Lotus Exige 260 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 87 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.1% and a failure rate of 14.9%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Lotus Exige 260 earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Lotus Exige 260 presents for MOT with approximately 25,888 miles on the clock. The 2010 manufacture year performs best with a 84.6% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the Lotus Exige 260 is Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems, affecting 10.3% of all tests. Seat belt failures include frayed or cut webbing, faulty retractors, buckles that don't latch properly, and missing or damaged anchorages. All fitted seat belts must be functional. The second most common issue is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment at 5.7%. Registration Plates and VIN rounds out the top three at 3.4%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 11.4% | 10 |
| 2 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 5.7% | 5 |
| 3 | Registration Plates And Vin | 3.4% | 3 |
| 4 | Driver's View Of The Road | 3.4% | 3 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.4% | 3 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.1% | 1 |
| 7 | Steering | 1.1% | 1 |
| 8 | Tyres | 1.1% | 1 |
| 9 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 1.1% | 1 |
| 10 | Suspension | 1.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 25,888 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 4.44 | 11.4% | 10 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 2.22 | 5.7% | 5 |
| Visibility | 1.77 | 4.5% | 4 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 1.33 | 3.4% | 3 |
| Brakes | 1.33 | 3.4% | 3 |
| Steering | 0.44 | 1.1% | 1 |
| Tyres | 0.44 | 1.1% | 1 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.44 | 1.1% | 1 |
| Suspension | 0.44 | 1.1% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Lotus Exige 260 has 25,888 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Lotus Exige 260 has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 5.76% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Lotus Exige 260 MOT Data
The Lotus Exige 260 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 87 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.1% and a failure rate of 14.9%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Lotus Exige 260 owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on seat belts and supplementary restraint systems and lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific Exige 260 is likely to perform.
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems — 10.3% of failures
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems issues account for 10.3% of MOT failures on the Lotus Exige 260. Seat belt failures include frayed or cut webbing, faulty retractors, buckles that don't latch properly, and missing or damaged anchorages. All fitted seat belts must be functional. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per belt. Pre-MOT check: Pull each seat belt fully out and check for fraying, cuts, or fading. Ensure each belt retracts smoothly and the buckle clicks securely. Check the pre-tensioner warning light on the dashboard.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 5.7% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 5.7% of MOT failures on the Lotus Exige 260. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Registration Plates and VIN — 3.4% of failures
Registration Plates and VIN issues account for 3.4% of MOT failures on the Lotus Exige 260. Registration Plates and VIN issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Lotus Exige 260?
Based on 87 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Lotus Exige 260 has an overall pass rate of 85.1% (14.9% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Lotus Exige 260?
The top 3 reasons a Lotus Exige 260 fails its MOT are: 1. Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems (10.3%), 2. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (5.7%), 3. Registration Plates and VIN (3.4%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Lotus Exige 260 reliable?
With a 14.9% MOT failure rate, the Exige 260 is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Lotus Exige 260?
Based on failure data, focus on: Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems (10.3%); Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (5.7%); Registration Plates and VIN (3.4%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.