Does the Lotus Esprit fail the MOT on visibility more than it should?
The Lotus Esprit records 4.36 visibility failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 11.20 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−6.84, 95% interval −7.76 to −5.91). It ranks 727 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 Esprit by registration
What exactly fails on visibility?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Lotus Esprit is “Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen”, recorded 113 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 113 | 2.25 |
| Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 40 | 0.80 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 5,018 (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 Esprit by postcode area · Lotus Esprit body, chassis and structure failures · Lotus Esprit brakes failures · Lotus Esprit vehicle identification failures · Lotus Esprit lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Lotus Esprit noise, emissions and leaks failures · Lotus Esprit steering failures · Lotus Esprit suspension failures · Lotus Esprit tyres failures