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Lotus Elise Series 2 (2001-2010) reliability

Not enough data

Lotus Elise Series 2 built around 2010: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Lotus Elise Series 2 models built around 2010 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Lotus Elise Series 2?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Lotus Elise Series 2
2001-2010ConvertiblePETROL

Based on 2,474 tests of Elise models registered 2001-2010.

Series 2 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
618.2%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
10110.9%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
13813.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
22914.0%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
2388.4%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
2549.4%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
26013.1%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
32111.2%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
36313.5%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
41514.0%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
9412.8%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 23 years old.

How the Elise Series 2 compares

At each age below, see how the Elise Series 2 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 233 tests across 2 Lotus models, built around 2010 (15 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateLotus average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
618.2%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
10110.9%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
13813.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
22914.0%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
2388.4%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
2549.4%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
26013.1%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
32111.2%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
36313.5%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
41514.0%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
9412.8%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Elise Series 2.

  1. 1

    Mazda MX-5

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.8%
    Dangerous
    3.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.6%

    No clear edge over the Lotus Elise Series 2 on these figures.

    5,754 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

  2. 2

    BMW Z4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.9%
    Dangerous
    5.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    No clear edge over the Lotus Elise Series 2 on these figures.

    2,800 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

  3. 3

    Volvo C70

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    30.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    10%
    Dangerous
    8.9%

    No clear edge over the Lotus Elise Series 2 on these figures.

    1,063 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

  4. 4

    Mercedes-Benz SLK

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.3%
    Dangerous
    6.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    92.7%

    No clear edge over the Lotus Elise Series 2 on these figures.

    2,892 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Lotus Elise.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

10 recalls in all

6 of the 10 Elise Series 2 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 4 more

Top concerns

  • Risk of fire
  • Possibility of fuel leakage
  • Wheel hub may become insecure

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

What has gone wrong on Elise Series 2 cars built around 2010

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 466 cars.

Structural systems

Emissions
48%
Suspension
34%
Steering
20%

Wear items

Lighting
49%
Brakes
25%
Tyres
20%
How Elise Series 2 cars have aged

How Elise Series 2 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%11131517192123Age at MOTBuilt around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 7.4% (68 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 13.2% (76 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 15.4% (78 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 12.9% (70 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 13.3% (60 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 10.3% (68 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 6.1% (66 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 9.5% (63 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 8.3% (60 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 15.6% (64 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 13.1% (130 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 8.8% (125 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 13.9% (137 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 9.9% (131 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 15.0% (127 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 10.3% (145 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 10.5% (143 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 13.7% (153 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 13.2% (136 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 9.2% (141 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 13.3% (143 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 8.8% (147 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 16.2% (148 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 13.7% (153 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 9.9% (142 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 8.5% (176 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 14.3% (182 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 8.6% (151 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 8.8% (147 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 12.1% (149 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 15.1% (185 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 14.9% (174 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 16.0% (175 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 12.4% (161 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 10.9% (165 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 16.4% (195 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 12.5% (192 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 11.9% (177 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 11.5% (165 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 9.3% (150 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 13.1% (251 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 11.5% (243 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 15.2% (231 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 12.0% (234 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 15.7% (230 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 17.9% (145 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 11.0% (127 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 12.9% (116 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 9.5% (105 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2001, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 12.8% (94 tests, 2025 data)2001
First registered around 2010First registered around 2009First registered around 2008First registered around 2007
How each part holds up as Series 2 cars age

How each part holds up as Series 2 cars age

The share of petrol cars built pre-2005 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car21 years22 years23 years24 years
Suspension21%23%30%27%
Brakes30%18%28%31%
Emissions14%32%33%25%
Tyres18%16%27%28%
Lighting37%32%55%42%
SteeringNo figure7%7%1%
Corrosion2%4%4%4%

Based on petrol cars in the pre-2005 build-year band, from 56 to 82 cars at each age.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Lotus Elises of this age

This list covers every Lotus Elise built around 2010, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Series 2 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    5.9%
    Advisory: 12Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    5.0%
    Advisory: 6Fail: 2 (25% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    4.0%
    Advisory: 6Fail: 1 (14% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    3.0%
    Advisory: 4Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake cable, rod or linkage

    3.0%
    Advisory: 3Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 101 tests

Looking at a Lotus Elise Series 2?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2010 (15 years old), the Lotus Elise Series 2 (2001-2010) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 101 15-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 2,474 MOT tests on Lotus Elises first registered between 2001-2010. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.