Does the Lotus Exige fail the MOT on lamps, reflectors and electrics more than it should?
The Lotus Exige records 8.14 lamps, reflectors and electrics failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 20.82 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−12.68, 95% interval −13.74 to −11.62). It ranks 651 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 Exige by registration
What exactly fails on lamps, reflectors and electrics?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Lotus Exige is “The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements”, recorded 156 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 156 | 2.20 |
| A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 54 | 0.76 |
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 42 | 0.59 |
| Audible warning inoperative | 40 | 0.56 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 7,087 (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 Exige by postcode area · Lotus Exige body, chassis and structure failures · Lotus Exige brakes failures · Lotus Exige vehicle identification failures · Lotus Exige noise, emissions and leaks failures · Lotus Exige steering failures · Lotus Exige suspension failures · Lotus Exige tyres failures · Lotus Exige visibility failures