MOT History from tests of petrol LOTUS ELANs year 1970

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:81.96%

(The average a petrol LOTUS ELAN year 1970 passes without issue)

Based on:2,661 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	90
Headlamp aim out of alignment	82
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	59
Registration plate lamp issues	56
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	49
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	39
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	24
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	22
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	22
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	19
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	19
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	19
Registration plate issues	16
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	14
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	14
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	14
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	10
Rear brake binding	9
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	9
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	8
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	8
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	7
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	7
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	6
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	6
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	6
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	5
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	5
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	5
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	5
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	5
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	5
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	4
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	4
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	4
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Horn not working \|7.7 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	4
Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	4
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Nearside Front Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	4
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	4
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	4
Steering column top mounting bracket insecure \|2.1.2d\|	4
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Front brake application uneven	4
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	4
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	4
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	4
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	4
Windscreen washer not working	4
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	3
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	3
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	3
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	3
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	3
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	3
Centre Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	3
Nearside Rear Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	3
Nearside Steering rack gaiter insecure \|2.2.D.2d\|	3
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	3
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	3
Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel \|2.1.2b\|	3
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	3
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	3
Nearside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.4.A.2h\|	3
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	3
Steering column universal joint insecure \|2.1.5\|	3
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	3
Offside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	3
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	3
Oil leaking excessively from engine \|8.4.1 \|a\| \|i\|\|	3
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Offside Headlamp not in good working order \|not working\| \|1.2.4a\|	3
Brake hose damaged	3
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	2
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	2
Offside Front Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	2
Nearside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	2
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\|	2
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	2
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view \|8.2.1c\|	2
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	2
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view \|8.2.1c\|	2
Nearside Front Lower Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin \|2.5.A.3b\|	2
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	2
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	2
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	2
Steering wheel locking device insecure \|2.1.6\|	2
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	2
Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle \|7.3.A.2b\|	2
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	2
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	2
Nearside Rear Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has excessive play in a universal joint \|2.4.G.4b\|	2
Offside Rear Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has excessive play in a universal joint \|2.4.G.4b\|	2
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	2
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm severely distorted \|2.4.G.1\|	2
Offside Front Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Offside Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	2
Nearside Outer Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Front Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	2
Front Brake pipe inadequately supported \|3.6.B.1\|	2
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	2
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	2
Driver`s door does not latch securely closed \|6.2.B.1a\|	2
Horn control missing \|1.6.1\|	2
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	2
Nearside Rear Drive shaft which forms part of the suspension damaged \|2.4.G.4a\|	2
Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view \|8.2.1c\|	2
Offside Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	2
Steering column universal joint has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	2
Windscreen has damage	2
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	2
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	2
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	2
Nearside Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	2
Offside front brake juddering severely \|3.7.A.2b\|	2
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order \|not working\| \|1.2.4a\|	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
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	2
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	2
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	2
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Brake pipe excessively corroded	2
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Nearside Rear Brake hose leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	2
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))	2
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	2
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))	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
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	90
Headlamp aim out of alignment	82
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	59
Registration plate lamp issues	56
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	49
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	39
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	24
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	22
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	22
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	19
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	19
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	19
Registration plate issues	16
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	14
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	14
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	14
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	10
Rear brake binding	9
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	9
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	8
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	8
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	7
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	7
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	6
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	6
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	6
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	5
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	5
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	5
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	5
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	5
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	5
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	4
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	4
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	4
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Horn not working \|7.7 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	4
Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	4
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Nearside Front Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	4
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	4
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	4
Steering column top mounting bracket insecure \|2.1.2d\|	4
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Front brake application uneven	4
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	4
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	4
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	4
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	4
Windscreen washer not working	4
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	3
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	3
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	3
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	3
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	3
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	3
Centre Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	3
Nearside Rear Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	3
Nearside Steering rack gaiter insecure \|2.2.D.2d\|	3
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	3
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	3
Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel \|2.1.2b\|	3
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	3
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	3
Nearside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.4.A.2h\|	3
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	3
Steering column universal joint insecure \|2.1.5\|	3
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	3
Offside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	3
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	3
Oil leaking excessively from engine \|8.4.1 \|a\| \|i\|\|	3
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Offside Headlamp not in good working order \|not working\| \|1.2.4a\|	3
Brake hose damaged	3
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	2
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	2
Offside Front Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	2
Nearside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	2
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\|	2
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	2
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view \|8.2.1c\|	2
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	2
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view \|8.2.1c\|	2
Nearside Front Lower Axle swivel joint has excessive play in a swivel pin \|2.5.A.3b\|	2
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	2
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	2
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	2
Steering wheel locking device insecure \|2.1.6\|	2
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	2
Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle \|7.3.A.2b\|	2
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	2
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	2
Nearside Rear Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has excessive play in a universal joint \|2.4.G.4b\|	2
Offside Rear Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has excessive play in a universal joint \|2.4.G.4b\|	2
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	2
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm severely distorted \|2.4.G.1\|	2
Offside Front Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Offside Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	2
Nearside Outer Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Front Upper Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush \|2.7.4\|	2
Front Brake pipe inadequately supported \|3.6.B.1\|	2
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	2
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	2
Driver`s door does not latch securely closed \|6.2.B.1a\|	2
Horn control missing \|1.6.1\|	2
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	2
Nearside Rear Drive shaft which forms part of the suspension damaged \|2.4.G.4a\|	2
Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view \|8.2.1c\|	2
Offside Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	2
Steering column universal joint has excessive play \|2.1.5\|	2
Windscreen has damage	2
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	2
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	2
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	2
Nearside Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	2
Offside front brake juddering severely \|3.7.A.2b\|	2
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order \|not working\| \|1.2.4a\|	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
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	2
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	2
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	2
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Brake pipe excessively corroded	2
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Nearside Rear Brake hose leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	2
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))	2
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	2
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))	2

MOT History from tests of petrol LOTUS ELANs year 1970

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