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MOT History from tests of petrol LOTUS EXCELs year 1987

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

mot history
Pass percent:67.62%
(The average a petrol LOTUS EXCEL year 1987 passes without issue)
Based on:627 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |7.3.B.1a|39
Brake pipe excessively corroded28
Headlamp aim out of alignment25
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively24
Offside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|16
Brakes imbalanced across an axle14
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|14
Registration plate lamp issues13
Horn not working |1.6.2a|10
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|9
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|9
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|9
Rear brake binding8
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive |7.3.B.1b|7
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|7
Registration plate issues6
Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|6
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|6
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|6
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort6
Offside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|5
Offside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|5
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|5
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|5
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|5
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|5
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|4
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|4
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|4
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|4
Front brake application uneven4
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|4
Windscreen washer not working 4
Rear brake application uneven4
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))4
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Nearside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|3
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|3
Horn not working |7.7 |a| |ii||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
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|3
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone `A` |8.3.1b|3
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|2
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|2
Nearside Side repeater missing |1.4.A.2b|2
Hazard warning lamps inoperative |1.4.B.1b|2
Horn sounds harsh or grating |1.6.2e|2
Power steering component|s| leaking |2.3.3b|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
All position lamps not working |4.2.1 |a||2
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.1.3 |g| |ii||2
Offside Front coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|2
Nearside Rear Seat belt attachment fitting badly deteriorated |5.2.3|2
Offside Rear Seat belt attachment fitting badly deteriorated |5.2.3|2
Offside Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|2
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|2
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|2
Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Offside Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|2
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|2
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|2
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|2
All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Offside Front position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|2
Power steering pipe|s| or hose|s| leaking from a joint |2.3.3b|2
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |4.4.1 |a| |ii||2
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|2
Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|2
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |8.2.1.2 |b||2
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|2
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |4.1.1 |a| |ii||2
Headlamp not working on dipped beam both |1.7.5a|2
Headlamp not working on main beam both |1.7.5a|2
Brake hose has insufficient room to move2
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|2
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working |1.3.1b|2
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Nearside Front brake caliper has restricted free movement |3.5.1k|2
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))2
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))2
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))2
Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))2
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))2
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))2
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Offside Front Steering rack insecure |2.2.B.1a|1
Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Offside Power steering pipe|s| or hose|s| leaking from a joint |2.3.3b|1
Rear Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|1
Horn not a continuous or uniform sound |1.6.2e|1
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive Too high |7.3.B.1a|1
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user |1.6.2b|1
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm locating pin retaining device missing |2.4.G.3b|1
Offside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure |5.2.1a|1
Centre Obligatory mirror missing |8.1.1|1
Offside Obligatory mirror missing |8.1.1|1
Offside Rear Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Front coil spring cracked |2.4.C.1a|1
Offside Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red |1.3.2e|1
Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light |1.2.1e|1
Rear position lamp|s| incorrect colour |1.1.A.3e|1
Direction indicator incorrect colour |1.4.A.2f|1
Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|1
Offside Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering rack fitted| |2.2.A.1b|1
Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel |2.1.2b|1
Nearside Front coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|1
Offside Front Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|1
Nearside Front Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|1
Offside Obligatory mirror missing |3.3 |a||1
Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam both sides |4.1.1 |a| |ii||1
Rear fog lamp not working |4.5.1 |a| |ii||1
Stop lamp|s| not working |4.3.1 |a| |ii||1
Speedometer cannot be illuminated |7.8 |c| |ii||1
Fuel tank leaking |7.2.3|1
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|1
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Rear Exhaust has a part missing |7.1.1a|1
Emissions not tested |7.0|1
Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|1
Front passenger seat insecure |6.2.3|1
Offside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|1
Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|1
Nearside Steering component deformed and unserviceable |2.2.C.1d|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
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|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
Offside Front Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.5 |a| |ii||1
Offside Front Brake pipe connection leaking on a hydraulic braking system |1.1.11 |b| |ii||1
Driver`s door does not latch securely closed |6.2.B.1a|1
Nearside Front Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Offside Front Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Offside Rear front brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|1
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|1
Steering rack has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering rack fitted| |2.3 |a| |i||1
Steering column universal joint insecure to the extent there is excessive movement at the mountings |2.1.3 |a| |ii||1
Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |5.3.4 |b| |ii||1
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.4|1
Power steering pump leaking from a failed joint |2.3.3b|1
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Steering system excessively rough |2.2.D.1|1
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Rear Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|1
Nearside Front front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement |3.3.A.5|1
Front Windscreen wiper not working |3.4 |a||1
Coil spring fractured or broken both front |5.3.1 |b| |i||1
Nearside Front Brake hose porous Starting to leak fluid at ferrule |1.1.12 |e||1
Nearside Front Brake hose connection leaking on a hydraulic braking system |1.1.12 |c| |ii||1
Nearside Front Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|1
Offside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings |2.2.B.1h|1
Steering column top bearing excessively worn steering wheel movement |2.1.2c|1
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|1
Offside Front Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|1
Nearside Front Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position |8.4.1|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 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
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Headlamp aim not tested |1.8.A.1c|1
Offside Headlamp aim not tested |1.8.A.1c|1
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Offside Front Position lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||1
Steering wheel has movement relative to the column indicating looseness |2.2.1 |a| |i||1
Nearside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.1.3 |g| |ii||1
Nearside Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Nearside front brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Offside front brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Power steering pipe|s| or hose|s| leaking |2.3.3b|1
Nearside Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened1
Nearside Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.4.G.2|1
Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|1
Front brake excessively fluctuating1
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened1
Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|1
Offside Front Fuel hose leaking |7.2.3|1
Rear Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|1
Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle |7.3.A.2b|1
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure |3.3.B.1a|1
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |4.5.1 |a| |ii||1
Offside Rear Braking system leaking caliper bleed screw |3.6.A.1|1
Steering column top mounting bracket insecure |2.1.2d|1
Nearside Front Brake hose inappropriately repaired |3.6.A.3|1
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Nearside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order |not working| |1.2.4a|1
Nearside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1a|1
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |4.1.1 |a| |ii||1
Headlamp aim not tested both |4.1.2 |b||1
Nearside 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
Offside Front Upper Ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Steering wheel retaining device insecure |2.1.6|1
Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users |1.8.A.1a|1
Offside Direction indicators adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|1
Nearside Rear Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|1
Offside Rear Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|1
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Front Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone `A` |8.3.1b|1
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| incomplete |1.1.4a|1
Brake pedal spongy |3.3.B.1b|1
Nearside Rear Trailing arm severely distorted |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Offside Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
An item not tested |Manual|1
Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately supported |3.6.B.1|1
Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately supported |3.6.B.1|1
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|1
Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Emissions not tested |7.3.A.1|1
Nearside Power steering pipe|s| or hose|s| leaking |2.3.3b|1
Offside Power steering pipe|s| or hose|s| leaking |2.3.3b|1
Nearside Front Passenger`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|1
Offside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|1
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|1
Nearside Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Stop lamp|s| not working |4.3.1 |a| |ii||1
Nearside Rear Position lamp not working |4.2.1 |a||1
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |4.5.1 |a| |ii||1
Nearside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|1
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement1
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases flexi |7.1.2|1
Nearside Rear coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|1
Offside Front brake caliper has restricted free movement |3.5.1k|1
Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Offside Rear coil spring broken |2.4.C.1a|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))1
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))1
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))1
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Anchorage plate on rear of fiberglass body (7.1.1 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Anchorage plate on rear of fiberglass body (7.1.1 (a) (i))1
Nearside Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position Catch (3.1 (b) (i))1
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel Brake pedal feels spongy (1.1.2 (a))1
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))1
Offside Front 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
Offside Front Inner Suspension arm insecurely attached (5.3.3 (a) (i))1
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))1
Nearside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))1
Offside 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
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))1
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))1
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))1
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))1
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))1
Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))1
Offside Front Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))1
Nearside Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt insecure (6.1.7 (g) (ii))1
Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Nearside Rear Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))1
Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective sealing device ineffective (6.1.3 (b) (i))1
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Front pipe to middle (6.1.2 (a))1
Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))1
Offside Front Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))1
Hydraulic fluid leaking excessively steering leak (8.4.1 (a) (i))1
Power steering pipe/hose leaking on steering rack area (2.1.5 (a))1
Offside Stop lamp(s) light intensity significantly reduced Suspect wrong bulb fitted (4.3.3 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))1
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))1
Horn not working (7.7 (a))1
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))1
Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel x2 (1.2.1 (a) (i))1
Power steering component leaking steering rack (2.1.5 (a))1
Offside Rear Exhaust system insecure silencer front mounting rubber broken (6.1.2 (a))1
Headlamp not working on dipped beam x2 (4.1.1 (a) (ii))1
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))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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