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MOT History from tests of petrol LOTUS ESPRITs year 1985

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

mot history
Pass percent:76.17%
(The average a petrol LOTUS ESPRIT year 1985 passes without issue)
Based on:1,066 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment74
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|37
Rear brake binding33
Registration plate lamp issues31
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |7.3.B.1a|30
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort20
Brake pipe excessively corroded17
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive |7.3.B.1b|15
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|12
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working |1.3.1b|12
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively11
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|10
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|9
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|8
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|8
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|8
Registration plate issues7
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|6
Offside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|6
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|6
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))6
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off |1.4.B.1f|5
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|5
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|5
Brakes imbalanced across an axle5
Horn not working |1.6.2a|5
Brake hose excessively deteriorated5
Steering system excessively tight |2.2.D.1|4
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|4
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|4
Steering system excessively rough |2.2.D.1|4
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|4
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|4
Nearside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil |3.5.1h|4
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|4
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|4
Nearside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|3
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released3
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|3
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on |1.4.B.1f|3
Nearside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|3
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|3
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering rack fitted| |2.2.A.1b|3
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing |3.3.A.1b|3
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement3
Nearside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|3
Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|3
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|3
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|3
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly |1.4.B.1e|3
Nearside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|3
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|3
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))3
Windscreen washer not working 3
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|2
Brake hose has insufficient room to move2
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|2
Offside Rear An item not tested |Manual|2
Nearside Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on |1.4.B.1f|2
Nearside Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off |1.4.B.1f|2
Exhaust engine idle speed too high |7.3.A.2a|2
Offside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|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
Rear brake application uneven2
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Steering column universal joint has excessive play |2.1.5|2
Nearside Front Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|2
Offside Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened |3.5.1b|2
Offside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|2
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|2
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|2
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|2
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Offside Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam |1.7.4a|2
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|2
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|2
Brake has no servo assistance |3.3.B.2|2
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|2
Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view |8.2.1c|2
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|2
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|2
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|2
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|2
All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|2
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order |not working| |1.2.4a|2
Offside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|2
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))2
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))2
Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))2
Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))2
Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))2
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))2
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))2
Horn not working (7.7 (a))2
Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive play |2.1.5|1
Lower Steering column universal joint insecure |2.1.5|1
Centre Front Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` |8.3.1e|1
Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|1
Nearside Front Direction indicators not in good working order |function impaired| |1.5.A1b|1
Steering system fouling |2.2.D.2a|1
Offside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|1
Nearside Obligatory mirror is incapable of being adjusted to provide an adequate view to the rear |8.1.2b|1
Nearside Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Body or chassis is cracked, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Indicator switch faulty |1.4.A.1|1
Nearside Front coil spring cracked |2.4.C.1a|1
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |6.1.2 |a||1
Emissions not tested |8.2.1.2 |d||1
Brake pedal has no servo assistance |3.3.B.2|1
rear brakes release unevenly |3.7.B.4|1
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened1
Steering system excessively rough on lock to lock |2.2.D.1|1
Offside Track rod end loose |2.2.B.1d|1
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Nearside Anti-roll bar synthetic bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Anti-roll bar synthetic bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Offside Outer Front Headlamp not in good working order |not working| |1.2.4a|1
Nearside Front Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on |1.4.B.1f|1
Nearside Rear Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on |1.4.B.1f|1
Parking brake lever, pawl mechanism pivots or their associated mountings are insecure |3.1.4b|1
Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|1
Nearside Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Nearside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Hazard warning lamps inoperative |1.4.B.1b|1
Offside Front coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|1
Nearside Rear rear brake grabbing severely |3.7.A.5b|1
Offside Rear rear brake grabbing severely |3.7.A.5b|1
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute |1.4.A.2g|1
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Nearside Front Upper Shock absorber insecure |2.7.2b|1
Nearside Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam |1.7.4a|1
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated |3.6.G.2|1
Access panel cannot be secured in the closed position |6.4.1|1
Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover missing |2.4.G.2|1
Rear brake disc contaminated by oil |3.5.1h|1
Offside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|1
Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Rear fog lamp switch missing |1.3.1a|1
Rear fog lamp missing |1.3.2a|1
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm severely distorted |2.4.G.1|1
Steering wheel locking device insecure |2.1.6|1
Front Windscreen washer control is inaccessible to the driver |8.2.1a|1
Front Windscreen wiper control is inaccessible to the driver not all way working |8.2.1a|1
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|1
Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Indicator tell tale inoperative |1.4.A.2a|1
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|1
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|1
Nearside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|1
Offside Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|1
Offside Rear brake disc contaminated by brake fluid |3.5.1h|1
Oil leaking continuously from engine posing a serious risk to road safety |8.4.1 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Rear Brake disc contaminated |1.1.14 |b||1
Steering system excessively rough |2.1.1 |a||1
Service brake efficiency below requirements |1.2.2 |a| |i||1
Parking brake efficiency below requirements |1.4.2 |a| |i||1
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |4.4.1 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened |3.5.1b|1
Nearside Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil |3.5.1h|1
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Offside Front Tie bar/rod attachment bracket/mounting cracked |2.4.G.1|1
Front Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view |8.2.1c|1
Exhaust has a part missing |7.1.1a|1
Offside Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off |1.4.B.1f|1
Offside Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on |1.4.B.1f|1
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.1.3 |g| |ii||1
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.1.3 |g| |ii||1
Offside Front coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|1
Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Front Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Nearside rear brake juddering severely |3.7.A.5b|1
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Front Anti-roll bar inappropriately repaired |2.4.A.2|1
Front Anti-roll bar modified and seriously weakened |2.4.A.2|1
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter insecure |2.2.D.2d|1
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Nearside Rear Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|1
Offside Rear Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|1
Offside Rear Direction indicators not in good working order |function impaired| |1.5.A1b|1
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding |1.2.1 |f||1
Brake performance not tested |1.2.1 |g||1
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1b|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp indicator / stoplamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Steering column top bearing excessively worn |2.1.2c|1
Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel |2.1.2b|1
Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Front front brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Offside Hazard warning lamps inoperative |1.4.B.1b|1
Offside Front Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to significantly weakened the webbing |5.2.2a|1
Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working |4.9.1 |a| |ii||1
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |8.2.1.2 |b||1
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive |8.2.1.2 |b||1
Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen |3.5 |a||1
Nearside Rear brake caliper leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level |3.6.G.1b|1
Nearside Rear An item not tested |Manual|1
Nearside Rear Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|1
Offside Rear Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Headlamp not in good working order |not working| |1.2.4a|1
Nearside Front position lamp|s| incorrect colour |1.1.A.3e|1
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Front brake application uneven1
Offside Rear brake disc locking device insecure |3.5.1l|1
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Offside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|1
Offside Brake cable has restricted free movement |3.5.1k|1
Offside Outer Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|1
Offside Front Steering rack insecure |2.2.B.1a|1
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|1
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position |8.4.1|1
Steering rack insecure |2.2.B.1a|1
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Offside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Offside Rear Sub-frame fractured |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|1
Direction indicators not in good working order |function impaired| |1.5.A1b|1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|1
Offside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|1
Nearside Front brake caliper has restricted free movement |3.5.1k|1
Offside Front brake caliper has restricted free movement |3.5.1k|1
Nearside Front An item not tested |Manual|1
Offside Front An item not tested |Manual|1
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|1
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|1
Battery insecure |1.9.1|1
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported Strap broken |7.1.1|1
Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated Red light on the dash |3.6.G.2|1
Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Nearside Rear Lower Radius arm severely distorted |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Rear brake caliper has restricted free movement |3.5.1k|1
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| has less than 50% of the light sources illuminating |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Rear Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Headlamp switch faulty |1.7.1|1
Steering column shaft has excessive end float |2.1.3|1
Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|1
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view |8.1.2a|1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Rear Drive shaft securing bolt loose (6.1.7 (a) (i))1
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))1
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))1
Brake performance not tested (1.2.1 (g))1
Rear Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))1
Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Both sides (5.3.4 (b) (ii))1
Steering column has excessive movement up and down (2.2.2 (a))1
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)1
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)1
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)1
Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1a)1
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)1
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))1
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))1
Offside Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has inadequate effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (i))1
Rear Fuel pipe union leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))1
Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))1
Offside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.4.3 (b))1
Offside Stop lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.3.3 (b))1
Exhaust fumes causing a danger to health of persons on board (6.1.2 (b) (ii))1
Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))1
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak1
Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak1
Nearside Rear Engine mounting bracket excessively loose (6.1.8 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Rear Engine mounting damaged or deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (6.1.8 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Engine mounting damaged or deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (6.1.8 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Inner Body mounting fixings insecure (6.2.2 (c) (i))1
Offside Rear Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))1

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.

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