Does the Lotus Elan fail the MOT on lamps, reflectors and electrics more than it should?
The Lotus Elan records 19.81 lamps, reflectors and electrics failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 29.46 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−9.65, 95% interval −10.79 to −8.51). It ranks 601 of 729 models on lamps, reflectors and electrics (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on lamps, reflectors and electrics · check a Lotus Elan by registration
What exactly fails on lamps, reflectors and electrics?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Lotus Elan is “A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED”, recorded 380 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED | 380 | 4.36 |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 344 | 3.95 |
| A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 97 | 1.11 |
| Audible warning inoperative | 95 | 1.09 |
| Headlamp aim unable to be tested | 85 | 0.98 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 8,716 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Lotus Elan by postcode area · Lotus Elan body, chassis and structure failures · Lotus Elan brakes failures · Lotus Elan vehicle identification failures · Lotus Elan noise, emissions and leaks failures · Lotus Elan seat belts and airbags failures · Lotus Elan steering failures · Lotus Elan suspension failures · Lotus Elan tyres failures · Lotus Elan visibility failures