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Lotus Esprit reliability by build year

Coverage 1976-20043 named generationsCoupePETROL

We've only got 762 MOT tests for Lotus Esprits built before 2000 (over 25 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Lotus Esprit built before 2000: fails its MOT less often than average

Lotus Esprits built before 2000 fail their MOT less often than similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Lotus Esprit by number plate

Key figure

13% of MOT tests on Lotus Esprits built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 19% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Lotus Esprits built before 2000 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Lotus Esprit's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Leaks

Worth checking

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

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

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.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Esprit's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

S

S1–S3 (1976-1986)

Excellent
PETROL

12.7% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Likely between 10.5% and 15.3%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 762 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Lotus Esprit.

See every build year for the Lotus Esprit

By age

Lotus Esprit fail rate by age

This chart combines every Lotus Esprit ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
76212.7%

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 25+ years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Lotus Esprits

These issues come from 25+ year old Lotus Esprits, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    8.8%
    Advisory: 69Fail: 1 (1% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    5.3%
    Advisory: 68Fail: 5 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    3.7%
    Advisory: 50Fail: 2 (4% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    3.7%
    Advisory: 48Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    3.5%
    Advisory: 47Fail: 2 (4% of the times it was found)

Based on 762 MOT tests on 25+ year old Lotus Esprits, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old Lotus Esprits notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelNot much data
  1. Brakes + Suspension22%
  2. Brakes + Other17%
  3. Fuel & oil + Suspension16%
  4. Brakes + Fuel & oil16%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 155 MOT tests on Lotus Esprit cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

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

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

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Lotus Esprit name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Like-for-like

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes to compare

  1. 1

    Jaguar XK

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.1%

    No clear edge over the Lotus Esprit on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,434 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    No clear edge over the Lotus Esprit on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    10,428 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Mercedes-Benz CLK

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.8%

    No clear edge over the Lotus Esprit on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,725 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    MG B GT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.4%

    No clear edge over the Lotus Esprit on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,331 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Lotus Esprit across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 762 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Lotus Esprit ever sold: 762 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 762 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.