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Lotus Exige Series 2 (2004-2011) reliability

Not enough data

Lotus Exige Series 2 built around 2006: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Lotus Exige Series 2 models built around 2006 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Lotus Exige 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 Exige Series 2
2004-2011CoupePETROL

Based on 441 tests of Exige models registered 2004-2011.

Series 2 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
595.1%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
9711.3%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
916.6%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
12116.5%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
7313.7%

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 19 years old.

How the Exige Series 2 compares

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

Based on 375 tests across 2 Lotus models, built around 2006 (19 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateLotus average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
595.1%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
9711.3%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
916.6%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
12116.5%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
7313.7%

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.

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 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.

Other coupes to compare

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

  1. 1

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.7%
    Dangerous
    2.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    Lower fail rate: 12.5%, against 16.5% for the Lotus Exige Series 2, both built around 2006.

    3,002 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

  2. 2

    Nissan 350Z

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.8%

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

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

    1,093 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

  3. 3

    Mercedes-Benz CLK

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.7%
    Dangerous
    7%

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

    4,191 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

  4. 4

    Jaguar XK

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    20.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.9%
    Dangerous
    5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.2%

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

    1,228 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

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 Exige.

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

5 recalls in all

2 of the 5 Exige Series 2 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 1 more

Top concerns

  • Risk of fire
  • Gear lever may break

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

How Exige Series 2 cars have aged

How Exige 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%20%13141516171819Age at MOTBuilt around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 11.3% (71 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 9.4% (64 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 9.1% (66 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 11.3% (62 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 11.5% (52 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 12.9% (70 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 10.8% (65 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 5.4% (56 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 9.8% (51 tests, 2024 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 17.3% (81 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 14.1% (71 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 14.5% (76 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 18.7% (75 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 16.0% (75 tests, 2025 data)2006
First registered around 2008First registered around 2007First registered around 2006
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Lotus Exiges of this age

This list covers every Lotus Exige built around 2006, 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

    Brake pads wearing thin

    5.0%
    Advisory: 6Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    4.1%
    Advisory: 9Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    4.1%
    Advisory: 5Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Minor

    One of the number plate lights not working

    4.1%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    3.3%
    Advisory: 8Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 121 tests

Looking at a Lotus Exige Series 2?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2006 (19 years old), the Lotus Exige Series 2 (2004-2011) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 121 19-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 441 MOT tests on Lotus Exiges first registered between 2004-2011. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.