MOT History from tests of petrol LOTUS ELANs year 1971

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:81.86%

(The average a petrol LOTUS ELAN year 1971 passes without issue)

Based on:5,850 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	216
Headlamp aim out of alignment	183
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	145
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	114
Registration plate lamp issues	104
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	83
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	62
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	53
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	45
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	41
Registration plate issues	41
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	40
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	40
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	30
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	29
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	29
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	21
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	19
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	19
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	18
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	18
Steering column top mounting bracket insecure \|2.1.2d\|	17
Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	17
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	16
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	15
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	15
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	15
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	15
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	14
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	14
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Windscreen washer not working	12
Front brake application uneven	11
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	11
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	11
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	11
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	11
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	11
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	10
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	10
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Brake pipe excessively corroded	10
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	10
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	10
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	9
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	9
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	9
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	9
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	9
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	8
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	8
Rear brake binding	8
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	8
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	8
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	7
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	7
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	7
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	7
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	6
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	6
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	6
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	6
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	6
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	6
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
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\|	6
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	6
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	6
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	6
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	6
Nearside Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	6
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	5
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	5
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	5
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	5
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	5
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	5
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	5
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	5
Nearside Rear Wheel insecure \|4.2.A.1c\|	5
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	5
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order \|not working\| \|1.2.4a\|	5
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	5
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade missing \|8.2.2\|	5
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	5
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Offside Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	4
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	4
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	4
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.D.4\|	4
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	4
Offside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.4.A.2h\|	4
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	4
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	4
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	4
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	4
Offside Rear Brake pipe leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	4
Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Nearside Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	4
Offside Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	4
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	4
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	4
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	4
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.4.A.2h\|	4
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order \|not working\| \|1.2.4a\|	4
Offside Headlamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.7.5c\|	4
Brake hose damaged	4
Speedometer cannot be illuminated. \|6.7.3\|	4
Offside Windscreen wiper blade missing \|8.2.2\|	4
Nearside Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam \|1.7.4a\|	4
Offside Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam \|1.7.4a\|	4
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	4
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	4
Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel \|2.1.2b\|	4
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	4
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	4

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\|	216
Headlamp aim out of alignment	183
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	145
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	114
Registration plate lamp issues	104
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	83
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	62
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	53
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	45
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	41
Registration plate issues	41
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	40
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	40
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	30
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	29
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	29
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	21
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	19
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	19
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	18
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	18
Steering column top mounting bracket insecure \|2.1.2d\|	17
Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	17
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	16
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	15
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	15
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	15
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	15
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	14
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	14
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Windscreen washer not working	12
Front brake application uneven	11
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	11
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	11
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	11
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	11
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	11
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	10
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	10
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Brake pipe excessively corroded	10
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	10
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	10
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	9
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	9
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	9
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	9
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
Headlamp switch faulty \|1.7.1\|	9
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	8
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	8
Rear brake binding	8
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	8
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	8
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	7
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	7
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.2.1f\|	7
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	7
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	6
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	6
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	6
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	6
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	6
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	6
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
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\|	6
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	6
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	6
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	6
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	6
Nearside Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	6
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	5
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	5
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	5
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	5
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	5
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	5
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	5
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1a\|	5
Nearside Rear Wheel insecure \|4.2.A.1c\|	5
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	5
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order \|not working\| \|1.2.4a\|	5
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	5
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade missing \|8.2.2\|	5
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	5
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Offside Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	4
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	4
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	4
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.D.4\|	4
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	4
Offside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.4.A.2h\|	4
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	4
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	4
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	4
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	4
Offside Rear Brake pipe leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	4
Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Nearside Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	4
Offside Headlamp aim not tested \|1.8.A.1c\|	4
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	4
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	4
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	4
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.4.A.2h\|	4
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order \|not working\| \|1.2.4a\|	4
Offside Headlamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.7.5c\|	4
Brake hose damaged	4
Speedometer cannot be illuminated. \|6.7.3\|	4
Offside Windscreen wiper blade missing \|8.2.2\|	4
Nearside Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam \|1.7.4a\|	4
Offside Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam \|1.7.4a\|	4
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	4
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	4
Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel \|2.1.2b\|	4
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	4
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	4

MOT History from tests of petrol LOTUS ELANs year 1971

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