MOT History from tests of petrol LOTUS ELANs year 1972

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:82.88%

(The average a petrol LOTUS ELAN year 1972 passes without issue)

Based on:1,998 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	82
Headlamp aim out of alignment	62
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	44
Registration plate lamp issues	39
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	36
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	30
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	21
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	17
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Registration plate issues	12
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	11
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	11
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	10
Rear brake binding	10
Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	7
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	7
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	7
Brake pipe excessively corroded	7
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	6
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	6
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	6
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	6
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	5
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	5
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	5
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	5
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	5
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Front brake application uneven	4
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	4
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	4
Windscreen washer not working	4
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	4
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))	4
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order \|not working\| \|1.2.4a\|	3
Offside Headlamp not in good working order \|not working\| \|1.2.4a\|	3
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	3
Nearside Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam \|1.7.4a\|	3
Offside Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam \|1.7.4a\|	3
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	3
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Nearside Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	3
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	3
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	3
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	2
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar vehicle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition \|7.1.4\|	2
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	2
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	2
Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported \|3.6.B.1\|	2
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	2
Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam \|1.7.4a\|	2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	2
Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration \|7.3.A.2c\|	2
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
An item not tested \|Manual\|	2
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	2
Nearside Headlamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.7.5c\|	2
Nearside Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings \|2.2.B.1h\|	2
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	2
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bearing \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	2
Offside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	2
Front Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Parking brake lever, pawl mechanism pivots or their associated mountings are insecure \|3.1.4b\|	2
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	2
Horn control insecure \|1.6.1\|	2
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	2
Rear Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	2
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	2
Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	2
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	2
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	2
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	2
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	2
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is broken \|3.1.5\|	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
Windscreen has damage	2
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.D.4\|	2
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	2
Nearside Direction indicator flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	2
Stop lamp\|s\| all not working \|4.3.1 \|a\| \|iii\|\|	2
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	2
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Rear Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))	2
Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	2
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	2
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	2
Nearside Rear Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))	2
Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (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\|	82
Headlamp aim out of alignment	62
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	44
Registration plate lamp issues	39
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	36
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	30
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	21
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	17
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Registration plate issues	12
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	11
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	11
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	10
Rear brake binding	10
Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	7
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	7
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	7
Brake pipe excessively corroded	7
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	6
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	6
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	6
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	6
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	5
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	5
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	5
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	5
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	5
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Front brake application uneven	4
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	4
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	4
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	4
Windscreen washer not working	4
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	4
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	4
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))	4
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order \|not working\| \|1.2.4a\|	3
Offside Headlamp not in good working order \|not working\| \|1.2.4a\|	3
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	3
Nearside Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam \|1.7.4a\|	3
Offside Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam \|1.7.4a\|	3
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	3
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Nearside Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Indicator switch faulty \|1.4.A.1\|	3
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	3
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	3
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	3
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	2
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar vehicle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition \|7.1.4\|	2
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	2
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt \|5.2.2a\|	2
Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported \|3.6.B.1\|	2
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	2
Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam \|1.7.4a\|	2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	2
Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration \|7.3.A.2c\|	2
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
An item not tested \|Manual\|	2
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	2
Nearside Headlamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.7.5c\|	2
Nearside Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings \|2.2.B.1h\|	2
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	2
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bearing \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	2
Offside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	2
Front Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Parking brake lever, pawl mechanism pivots or their associated mountings are insecure \|3.1.4b\|	2
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	2
Horn control insecure \|1.6.1\|	2
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	2
Rear Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	2
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	2
Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	2
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	2
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	2
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	2
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	2
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is broken \|3.1.5\|	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
Windscreen has damage	2
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.D.4\|	2
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	2
Nearside Direction indicator flashing less than 60 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	2
Stop lamp\|s\| all not working \|4.3.1 \|a\| \|iii\|\|	2
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	2
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Rear Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))	2
Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	2
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	2
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	2
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	2
Nearside Rear Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))	2
Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))	2

MOT History from tests of petrol LOTUS ELANs year 1972

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