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MOT History from tests of petrol LOTUS ESPRITs year 1990

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:74.71%
(The average a petrol LOTUS ESPRIT year 1990 passes without issue)
Based on:961 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment77
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|40
Brake pipe excessively corroded34
Rear brake binding33
Registration plate lamp issues30
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort28
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |7.3.B.1a|20
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively18
Brakes imbalanced across an axle12
Horn not working |1.6.2a|12
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|11
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|8
Registration plate issues8
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|8
Offside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|7
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|7
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive |7.3.B.1b|7
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|6
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user |1.6.2b|5
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|5
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|5
Offside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|5
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|4
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|4
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|4
Nearside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|4
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|4
Offside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|4
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively scored |3.5.1h|4
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|4
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing |3.3.A.1b|4
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|3
Windscreen wiper blade insecure3
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|3
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|3
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|3
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|3
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|3
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Nearside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|3
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|3
Windscreen washer not working 3
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|3
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|3
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|3
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault3
Front brake application uneven3
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|3
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))3
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|2
Offside Front Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|2
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is broken |3.1.5|2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|2
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|2
Horn not a continuous or uniform sound |1.6.2e|2
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working |1.3.1b|2
Battery insecure |1.9.1|2
Exhaust engine idle speed too high |7.3.A.2a|2
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|2
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly |1.4.B.1e|2
Nearside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|2
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|2
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering rack fitted| |2.2.A.1b|2
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|2
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement2
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement2
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|2
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|2
Offside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Offside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|2
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|2
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|2
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|2
Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))2
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))2
Steering rack has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering rack fitted) (2.3 (a) (i))2
Offside Rear Hydraulic brake calliper leaking (1.1.16 (b) (i))2
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))2
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|1
Offside Rear Brake pipe connection leaking on a hydraulic braking system |1.1.11 |b| |ii||1
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Offside Front Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|1
Nearside Front brake disc contaminated by oil |3.5.1h|1
Steering column top bearing excessively worn |2.1.2c|1
Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits |8.2.1.2 |b||1
Nearside engine mounting bracket insecure and likely to fail |6.1.D.1b|1
Offside engine mounting bracket insecure and likely to fail |6.1.D.1b|1
Central Windscreen wiper blade missing |8.2.2|1
Brake warning device not working correctly |3.3.D.3a|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
Parking brake not fitted on at least two wheels |3.1.1|1
Nearside Statutory seat belt missing |5.1.1|1
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |8.2.1.2 |b||1
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases box |7.1.2|1
Nearside Front Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Offside Front Headlamp not in a clean condition affecting beam image |1.2.4a|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 Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt |5.2.2a|1
Nearside Rear brake disc has restricted free movement |3.5.1j|1
Nearside Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Offside Front Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|1
Nearside Front Body or chassis is damaged, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Rear brake caliper leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Nearside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Exhaust catalytic converter missing where one was fitted as standard |7.1.3|1
Nearside Front Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |5.3.4 |b| |ii||1
Offside Front Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |5.3.4 |b| |ii||1
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|1
Offside Front Steering rack insecure |2.2.B.1a|1
Brake pedal has no servo assistance |3.3.B.2|1
Nearside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|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 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 Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|1
An item not tested |Manual|1
Headlamp not in a clean condition affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Nearside Rear Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Offside rear brake juddering severely |3.7.A.5b|1
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |4.1.1 |a| |ii||1
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |4.1.1 |a| |ii||1
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.3 |a||1
Indicator tell tale inoperative |1.4.A.2a|1
Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|1
Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Nearside Steering rack insecure |2.2.B.1a|1
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| obviously incorrectly positioned |1.1.A.3a|1
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Front coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|1
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.6.B1|1
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Steering system excessively tight |2.2.D.1|1
Steering system excessively rough |2.2.D.1|1
Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Hazard warning lamps inoperative |1.4.B.1b|1
Offside Rear Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Parking brake lever has excessive side play in the pivot and may disengage |3.1.4a|1
Front Trailing arm cracked |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| incorrect colour |1.1.A.3e|1
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| incorrect colour |1.1.A.3e|1
Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm severely distorted |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Offside Rear brake disc excessively scored |3.5.1h|1
brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Horn sounds harsh or grating |1.6.2e|1
Steering rack damaged and unserviceable |2.2.C.1d|1
Nearside Front position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|1
Offside Front Brake hose leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Nearside Front Brake hose leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Brake pedal spongy |3.3.B.1b|1
Driver`s door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Rear brake application uneven1
Nearside Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Parking brake is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only |3.1.2|1
Nearside Rear Hydraulic brake calliper leaking |1.1.16 |b| |i||1
Service brake grabbing severely |3.7.C.2|1
Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated |3.6.G.2|1
Nearside Headlamp aim not tested |1.8.A.1c|1
Offside Front Direction indicator incomplete |1.5.A1b|1
Nearside Side repeater insecure |1.4.A.2b|1
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Nearside Front Position lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||1
Offside Front Position lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||1
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.1.3 |g| |ii||1
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.1.3 |g| |ii||1
Nearside Rear Wheel bearing rough when rotated |5.1.3 |b| |i||1
Nearside Front passenger door hinge insecure |6.2.B.2|1
Nearside 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 Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Obligatory mirror missing |8.1.1|1
Driver`s seat insecure |missing| |6.2.A.1|1
Brake hose has insufficient room to move1
Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|1
Offside Inner Front Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Front front brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Brake cable has restricted free movement |3.5.1k|1
Offside Side repeater excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.4.A.2e|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.6.1|1
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|1
Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect |4.1.2 |c||1
Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working |4.9.1 |a| |ii||1
Offside front parking brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.6a|1
Offside Front Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Offside Rear Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|1
Nearside Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Nearside Front Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|1
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Nearside Front All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Front All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Rear All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Rear All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Direction indicator flashing more than 120 times a minute |1.4.A.2g|1
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|1
Offside Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|1
Front Horn not working |1.6.2a|1
Offside Front Road wheel bead rim badly distorted |4.2.A.1a|1
Body insecure and dangerous to other road users |6.1.B.1b|1
Nearside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Rear fog lamp excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.3.2d|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
Nearside Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Offside Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order |not working| |1.2.4a|1
Offside Headlamp not in good working order |not working| |1.2.4a|1
Offside Front coil spring cracked |2.4.C.1a|1
Offside Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings |2.2.B.1h|1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Rear Hazard warning lamps inoperative |1.4.B.1b|1
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened1
Offside Rear brake disc modified and seriously weakened |3.5.1n|1
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|1
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|1
Offside Front Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering rack fitted| |2.2.A.1b|1
Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Front Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view |8.2.1c|1
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))1
Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))1
Offside Front Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))1
Offside Front Hydraulic brake calliper insecurely mounted (1.1.16 (c) (i))1
Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))1
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (1.1.2 (c))1
Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))1
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Front Upper Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush and nearside front upper (5.3.2 (c))1
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))1
Steering column attachment defective excessive side to side movement in column (2.2.2 (d) (i))1
Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))1
Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak1
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (1.6 (a))1
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 11.10% (8.2.1.2 (b))1
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Rear Upper Suspension component insecurely attached suspension arm/tie bar - marked in yellow - nut not tight (5.3.3 (a) (i))1
Battery insecure and likely to cause a short circuit (4.13 (a) (ii))1
Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak Both (5.3.2 (b))1
Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Valve stem seriously damaged (5.2.3 (j))1
Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect Both front outer dipped beam headlamps, appear to be on main beam setting when dipped beam is operational (4.1.2 (c))1
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Centre to rear joining flange (6.1.2 (a))1
Nearside Front Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))1
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Insecure (2.1.3 (g) (ii))1
Horn not working (7.7 (a))1
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Headlamp missing (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))1
Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))1
Offside Front Headlamp levelling device inoperative (4.1.5 (a))1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working wing (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Hole in backbox (6.1.2 (a))1
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Both Joins Leading Up To Backbox (6.1.2 (a))1
Emissions not tested (8.2.2.2 (e))1
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))1
Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))1
Offside Front Headlamp are incorrectly positioned (4.1.4 (a))1
Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))1
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (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 Battery insecure and likely to cause a short circuit (4.13 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt boot not insecure to rack (2.1.3 (g) (ii))1
Emissions not tested unable to test emissions due to vehicle overheating and spilling coolant all over the floor (8.2.1.2 (d))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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