Does the Lotus Elan fail the MOT on visibility more than it should?
The Lotus Elan records 7.01 visibility failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 10.67 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−3.66, 95% interval −4.35 to −2.97). It ranks 641 of 746 models on visibility (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on visibility · check a Lotus Elan by registration
What exactly fails on visibility?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Lotus Elan is “Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen”, recorded 267 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 267 | 3.06 |
| Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 136 | 1.56 |
| Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view | 85 | 0.98 |
| Wiper blade defective | 64 | 0.73 |
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 lamps, reflectors and electrics 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