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MOT History from tests of petrol LOTUS ESPRITs year 1986

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:77.02%
(The average a petrol LOTUS ESPRIT year 1986 passes without issue)
Based on:1,149 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment80
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |7.3.B.1a|34
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|31
Rear brake binding30
Registration plate lamp issues28
Brake pipe excessively corroded25
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort25
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively23
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working |1.3.1b|16
Horn not working |1.6.2a|13
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive |7.3.B.1b|12
Brakes imbalanced across an axle11
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|10
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|10
Windscreen washer not working 10
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|9
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|9
Registration plate issues9
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering rack fitted| |2.2.A.1b|7
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|7
Nearside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|6
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|6
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|6
Nearside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|5
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|5
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|5
Rear brake application uneven5
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|5
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|5
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))5
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|4
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|4
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|4
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|4
Offside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Nearside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|4
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|3
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|3
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|3
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|3
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|3
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |8.2.1.2 |b||3
Nearside Front Position lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||3
Nearside Steering rack gaiter insecure |2.2.D.2d|3
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user |1.6.2b|3
Offside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|3
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|3
Parking brake efficiency below requirements |1.4.2 |a| |i||3
Front brake application uneven3
Steering system excessively tight |2.2.D.1|3
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement3
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))3
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|2
Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|2
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Steering system excessively rough |2.2.D.1|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
Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Offside Rear brake disc excessively scored |3.5.1h|2
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|2
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|2
Nearside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|2
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Offside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|2
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||2
Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|2
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Offside Front Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|2
An item not tested |Manual|2
Offside Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on main beam |1.7.4a|2
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|2
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|2
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|2
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|2
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|2
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|2
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|2
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|2
Offside Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering rack fitted| |2.2.A.1b|2
Offside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|2
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing |3.3.A.1b|2
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement2
Nearside Rear brake caliper has restricted free movement |3.5.1k|2
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|2
Emissions not tested |7.0|2
Brake hose has insufficient room to move2
Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))2
Offside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))2
Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (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 Rear Service brake excessively binding |1.2.1 |f||1
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding |1.2.1 |f||1
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Offside Hazard warning lamps inoperative |1.4.B.1b|1
Offside Front Position lamp switch faulty |1.1.A.1|1
Centre Front Position lamp switch faulty |1.1.A.1|1
Offside Side repeater excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.4.A.2e|1
Brake pedal spongy |3.3.B.1b|1
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure |3.3.B.1a|1
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement |3.3.A.5|1
Offside Rear brake caliper leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Steering column top bearing excessively worn |2.1.2c|1
Offside Rear Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Nearside Front Upper Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Offside Front Upper Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Offside Front brake caliper securing device missing |3.5.1j|1
Front Steering system excessively rough |2.2.D.1|1
Offside Stop lamp excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.2.1d|1
Offside Steering rack gaiter insecure |2.2.D.2d|1
Hazard warning lamps inoperative |1.4.B.1b|1
Indicator switch faulty |1.4.A.1|1
Rear Stop lamp excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.2.1d|1
Nearside Front suspension has a suspension upper ball joint securing nut loose |2.5.B.1a|1
Offside Front suspension has a suspension upper ball joint securing nut loose |2.5.B.1a|1
Brake servo defective or ineffective |1.1.10 |a| |i||1
Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Fuel cap/sealing device missing |7.2.4a|1
Direction indicators flashing less than 60 times a minute |1.4.A.2g|1
Steering rack deformed and unserviceable |2.2.C.1d|1
Front Lower Steering pivot point has excessive play |2.2.B.1g|1
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position |8.4.1|1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Steering column universal joint excessively corroded and unserviceable |2.2.C.1d|1
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|1
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits |8.2.1.2 |b||1
Rear Rear fog lamp not working |4.5.1 |a| |ii||1
Offside Rear Hydraulic brake calliper leaking |1.1.16 |b| |i||1
Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order |not working| |1.2.4a|1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings |2.2.B.1h|1
Lower Steering column universal joint has excessive play |2.1.5|1
Offside Rear Direction indicator flashing more than 120 times a minute |1.4.A.2g|1
Offside Front Brake hose leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Offside Front coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|1
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|1
Nearside Inner Front Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|1
Offside Inner Front Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|1
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Steering component damaged and unserviceable |2.2.C.1d|1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.4.A.2e|1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Rear rear brake recording little or no effort BOTH |3.7.B.5a|1
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|1
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|1
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|1
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Offside Front coil spring cracked |2.4.C.1a|1
Headlamp switch faulty |1.7.1|1
Dipswitch operation does not extinguish all main beam headlamps leaving at least one pair of dipped beam headlamps |1.7.4b|1
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|1
Front Windscreen wiper control is inaccessible to the driver |8.2.1a|1
Brake has no servo assistance |3.3.B.2|1
Steering wheel locking device insecure |2.1.6|1
Nearside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |6.1.7 |g| |ii||1
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |4.4.1 |a| |ii||1
Main beam tell-tale not working |4.9.1 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Front Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover missing |5.3.4 |b| |ii||1
Nearside Side repeater not working |4.4.1 |a| |ii||1
Service brake efficiency below requirements |1.2.2 |a| |i||1
Nearside Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp coming on when brake applied |1.3.2f|1
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Nearside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|1
Nearside Front passenger seat insecure |6.2.3|1
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|1
Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|1
Offside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Nearside Rear Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|1
Brake warning device not visible |or audible| to the driver |3.3.D.2a|1
Brake servo insecurely mounted |3.6.A.2a|1
Lower Steering column retaining device insecure |2.1.6|1
Nearside Front Brake hose excessively damaged |3.6.B.4d|1
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Steering column flexible coupling is excessively deteriorated |2.1.5|1
Offside Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam |1.7.4a|1
Offside Front Steering column shaft has excessive end float |2.1.3|1
Horn control missing |1.6.1|1
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Offside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|1
Brake hose damaged1
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|1
Windscreen has damage1
Nearside Rear rear brake grabbing severely |3.7.A.5b|1
Nearside Front Upper Tie bar/rod ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute |1.4.A.2g|1
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|1
Nearside Seat belt affected by an insecure seat fixing |5.2.1b|1
Nearside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|1
Nearside Obligatory mirror does not provide a view to the rear |8.1.2b|1
Power steering component|s| leaking |2.3.3b|1
Nearside Front position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Nearside Inner Rear Drive shaft which forms part of the suspension coupling gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.4.G.4e|1
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order |not working| |1.2.4a|1
Rear rear brakes release unevenly |3.7.B.4|1
Bootlid cannot be secured in the closed position |6.4.1|1
Offside Rear Tie bar/rod attachment bracket/mounting cracked |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on main beam |1.7.4a|1
Nearside Headlamp does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam |1.7.4a|1
Offside Front brake caliper has restricted free movement |3.5.1k|1
Nearside Front Brake pipe leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|1
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| has less than 50% of the light sources illuminating |1.1.A.3b|1
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar vehicle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition |7.1.4|1
Front Brake pressure build up too slow |3.3.E.6|1
rear brakes release unevenly |3.7.B.4|1
Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Offside Rear Parking brake is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only |3.1.2|1
Offside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings |2.2.B.1h|1
Offside Brake cable has restricted free movement |3.5.1k|1
Offside Rear Stop lamp|s| all not working |4.3.1 |a| |iii||1
Front Boot lid insecure |6.2.1 |a| |i||1
Front Fluid leaking continuously posing a serious risk to road safety |8.4.1 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Front Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Service brake indicates brake bind |3.7.D.2a|1
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.D.4|1
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Lower Steering column universal joint insecure |2.1.5|1
Upper Steering column top mounting bracket insecure |2.1.2d|1
Nearside Rear brake disc has restricted free movement |3.5.1j|1
Nearside Front An item not tested |Manual|1
Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration |7.3.A.2c|1
Nearside Front Side repeater not working |4.4.1 |a| |ii||1
Offside Front Inner Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play |2.1.3 |b| |i||1
Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak |8.2.1.1 |b||1
Offside rear brake excessively fluctuating |3.7.B.3|1
Nearside rear brake excessively fluctuating |3.7.B.3|1
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively scored |3.5.1h|1
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. |6.2.5 |b| |i||1
Nearside Front Upper Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Nearside Rear Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Front Brake back plate|s| securing device loose Bolt not tightened |3.5.1j|1
Nearside Rear coil spring corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened |2.4.C.1b|1
Offside Rear coil spring corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened |2.4.C.1b|1
Offside Front Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Offside Headlamp not in good working order |not working| |1.2.4a|1
Offside Headlamp aim not tested |1.8.A.1c|1
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|1
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber insecure |2.7.2b|1
Nearside Front Road wheel distorted |4.2.A.1a|1
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|1
Horn not working |7.7 |a| |ii||1
Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect New bulb fitted. |4.1.2 |c||1
Exhaust engine idle speed too high |7.3.A.2a|1
Rear Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.6.1|1
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|1
Offside Front Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|1
Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))1
Nearside Rear Fluid leak harmful to the environment or a risk to other road users oil cooler pipe (8.4.1 (a) (i))1
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))1
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))1
Horn not working (1.6.2a)1
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (1.1.2 (c))1
Nearside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))1
Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))1
Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))1
Nearside Front Headlamp are incorrectly positioned (4.1.4 (a))1
Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))1
Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii))1
Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)1
Indicator switch faulty (1.4.A.1)1
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (7.3.B.1b)1
Nearside Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated (7.2.4c)1
Offside Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated (7.2.4c)1
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)1
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)1
Nearside Front Passengers seat insecure (6.2.6 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Drivers seat insecure (6.2.5 (a) (ii))1
Steering rack has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering rack fitted) (2.3 (a) (i))1
Nearside Front Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))1
Offside Front Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))1
Nearside Rear Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))1
Steering system excessively rough (2.1.1 (a))1
Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))1
Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))1
Exhaust emissions - engine idle speed too high (8.2.1.2 (e))1
Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))1
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))1
Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (1.3.1 (b) (i))1
Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))1
Horn not working (7.7 (a))1
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))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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