MOT History from tests of petrol LOTUS ESPRITs year 1989

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:73.54%

(The average a petrol LOTUS ESPRIT year 1989 passes without issue)

Based on:1,591 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	123
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	68
Registration plate lamp issues	67
Brake pipe excessively corroded	62
Rear brake binding	52
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	43
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	39
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	32
Registration plate issues	30
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	21
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	18
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	16
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	16
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	16
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	14
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	12
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	11
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	11
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	9
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Windscreen washer not working	8
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	8
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	8
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	7
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	7
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	6
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	6
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	6
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	5
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	5
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	5
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	5
Steering system excessively rough \|2.2.D.1\|	5
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	5
Rear brake application uneven	5
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	5
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	5
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	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
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	4
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	4
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	4
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	4
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	4
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	4
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	4
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 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
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	3
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	3
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	3
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	3
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	3
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	3
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	3
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	3
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	3
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	3
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	3
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	3
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	3
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	3
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Nearside Rear Brake cable has restricted free movement \|3.5.1k\|	3
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	3
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	3
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	3
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	3
Nearside Headlamp not in a clean condition affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	3
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	3
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	3
Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	3
Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	3
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	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 Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.1.3 \|g\| \|ii\|\|	2
Offside Rear front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	2
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	2
Windscreen has damage	2
Offside Front Brake pipe fouled by moving parts \|3.6.B.2a\|	2
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	2
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Offside Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	2
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding \|1.2.1 \|f\|\|	2
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	2
Offside Front Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.4.A.2h\|	2
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Offside Front Brake pipe leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Offside Rear brake caliper leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is broken \|3.1.5\|	2
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	2
Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	2
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	2
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Offside Front Upper Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	2
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	2
Nearside Obligatory mirror insecure \|8.1.1\|	2
Nearside Front brake caliper has restricted free movement \|3.5.1k\|	2
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
An item not tested \|Manual\|	2
Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	2
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\|	2
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	2
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	2
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	2
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	2
Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	2
Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the nearside \|3.7.C.2\|	2
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	2
Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)	2
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (1.1.2 (c))	2
Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)	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
Headlamp aim out of alignment	123
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	68
Registration plate lamp issues	67
Brake pipe excessively corroded	62
Rear brake binding	52
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	43
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	39
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	32
Registration plate issues	30
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	21
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	18
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	16
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	16
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	16
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	14
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	12
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	11
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	11
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	9
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Windscreen washer not working	8
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	8
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	8
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	7
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	7
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	6
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	6
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	6
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	5
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	5
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	5
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	5
Steering system excessively rough \|2.2.D.1\|	5
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	5
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	5
Rear brake application uneven	5
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	5
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	5
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	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
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	4
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	4
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	4
Offside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	4
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	4
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	4
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	4
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 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
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	3
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	3
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	3
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	3
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	3
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	3
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	3
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	3
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	3
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	3
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	3
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	3
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	3
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	3
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	3
Nearside Rear Brake cable has restricted free movement \|3.5.1k\|	3
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	3
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.C.1b\|	3
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	3
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	3
Nearside Headlamp not in a clean condition affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	3
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	3
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	3
Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	3
Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))	3
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	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 Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	2
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.1.3 \|g\| \|ii\|\|	2
Offside Rear front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	2
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	2
Windscreen has damage	2
Offside Front Brake pipe fouled by moving parts \|3.6.B.2a\|	2
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced \|1.7.5a\|	2
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	2
Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	2
Offside Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	2
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding \|1.2.1 \|f\|\|	2
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	2
Offside Front Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.4.A.2h\|	2
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	2
Offside Front Brake pipe leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Offside Rear brake caliper leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	2
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is broken \|3.1.5\|	2
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	2
Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	2
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| incorrect colour \|1.1.A.3e\|	2
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	2
Offside Front Upper Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.2.C.1c\|	2
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	2
Nearside Obligatory mirror insecure \|8.1.1\|	2
Nearside Front brake caliper has restricted free movement \|3.5.1k\|	2
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
An item not tested \|Manual\|	2
Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	2
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\|	2
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	2
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	2
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	2
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	2
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	2
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	2
Nearside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Offside Front Drag link end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	2
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	2
Service brake is causing the vehicle to swerve to the nearside \|3.7.C.2\|	2
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	2
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	2
Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)	2
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (1.1.2 (c))	2
Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)	2

MOT History from tests of petrol LOTUS ESPRITs year 1989

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