MOT History from tests of petrol LOTUS ELANs year 1969

Review the list of common LOTUS ELAN failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your LOTUS then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history

Pass percent:81.41%

(The average a petrol LOTUS ELAN year 1969 passes without issue)

Based on:2,614 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	111
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	107
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	74
Registration plate lamp issues	59
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	51
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	48
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	22
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	21
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	20
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	19
Registration plate issues	17
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	16
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	16
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	16
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	15
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	14
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	11
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	11
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	10
Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	9
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	8
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	8
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	8
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	7
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	7
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	6
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	6
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	5
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	5
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	5
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	5
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	4
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	4
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	4
Offside Front Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.4.A.2h\|	4
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	4
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	4
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	4
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	4
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Offside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.4.A.2h\|	4
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	4
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	4
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	4
Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	4
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	4
Front Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	4
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	4
Windscreen washer not working	4
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	3
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	3
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	3
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Brake pipe excessively corroded	3
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	3
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Offside Front Headlamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.7.5c\|	3
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	3
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	3
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	3
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	3
Front brake application uneven	3
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	3
Nearside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.4.A.2h\|	3
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	3
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	3
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	3
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))	3
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	2
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously deteriorated, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	2
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	2
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	2
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order \|not working\| \|1.2.4a\|	2
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	2
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	2
Rear brake binding	2
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	2
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	2
Nearside Front Wheel insecure \|4.2.A.1c\|	2
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	2
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	2
Brake pipe inadequately supported \|3.6.B.1\|	2
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	2
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	2
Windscreen wiper not working \|3.4 \|a\|\|	2
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	2
Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on main beam \|1.7.4a\|	2
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	2
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	2
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Lower Steering column flexible coupling has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	2
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	2
Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	2
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	2
Brake hose damaged	2
Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	2
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.D.4\|	2
Stop lamp not working both \|1.2.1b\|	2
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	2
Nearside Rear Wheel insecure \|4.2.A.1c\|	2
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	2
Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Parking brake lever, pawl mechanism pivot\|s\| or their associated mountings locking device insecure \|3.1.4b\|	2
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	2
Brake pedal anti-slip provision worn smooth \|3.3.A.1b\|	2
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	2
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|5.3.4 \|b\| \|ii\|\|	2
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	2
Main beam `tell-tale` not working \|1.7.4c\|	2
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	2
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	2
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	2
Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	2
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	2

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

Got suggestions? We’re improving this section all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	111
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	107
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	74
Registration plate lamp issues	59
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	51
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	48
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	22
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	21
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	20
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	19
Registration plate issues	17
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	16
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	16
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	16
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	15
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	14
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	11
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	11
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	10
Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	9
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	8
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	8
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	8
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	7
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	7
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	6
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	6
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	5
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	5
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	5
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	5
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	4
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	4
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	4
Offside Front Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.4.A.2h\|	4
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	4
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	4
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	4
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	4
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Offside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.4.A.2h\|	4
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	4
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	4
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	4
Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	4
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	4
Front Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	4
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	4
Windscreen washer not working	4
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	3
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	3
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	3
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Brake pipe excessively corroded	3
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	3
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Offside Front Headlamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.7.5c\|	3
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	3
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	3
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	3
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	3
Front brake application uneven	3
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	3
Nearside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.4.A.2h\|	3
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	3
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	3
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	3
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))	3
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	2
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously deteriorated, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	2
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	2
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	2
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order \|not working\| \|1.2.4a\|	2
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	2
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	2
Rear brake binding	2
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	2
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	2
Nearside Front Wheel insecure \|4.2.A.1c\|	2
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	2
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	2
Brake pipe inadequately supported \|3.6.B.1\|	2
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	2
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	2
Windscreen wiper not working \|3.4 \|a\|\|	2
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	2
Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on main beam \|1.7.4a\|	2
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	2
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	2
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Lower Steering column flexible coupling has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	2
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	2
Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	2
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	2
Brake hose damaged	2
Nearside Front Steering pivot point has excessive play \|2.2.B.1g\|	2
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.D.4\|	2
Stop lamp not working both \|1.2.1b\|	2
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	2
Nearside Rear Wheel insecure \|4.2.A.1c\|	2
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	2
Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Parking brake lever, pawl mechanism pivot\|s\| or their associated mountings locking device insecure \|3.1.4b\|	2
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	2
Brake pedal anti-slip provision worn smooth \|3.3.A.1b\|	2
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	2
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|5.3.4 \|b\| \|ii\|\|	2
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	2
Main beam `tell-tale` not working \|1.7.4c\|	2
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	2
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	2
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	2
Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	2
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	2

MOT History from tests of petrol LOTUS ELANs year 1969

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