Lotus Eclat (1982)
1982 Lotus Eclat
CarHunch analysed 100 real MOT records for the 1982 Lotus Eclat. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1982 Lotus Eclat has a first-time pass rate of just 28.6%, which is drastically below the UK average of 80%—this is a car that will almost certainly need work before it passes its next test. The dangerous defect rate of 4% is acceptably low, but reliability is plainly not this car's strength.
These Eclats are averaging around 57,900 miles, which is reasonable mileage for a 40-year-old car, yet they're still accumulating 0.71 failures and 1.7 advisories per test, pointing to chronic wear in basic systems rather than catastrophic problems. If you're seriously considering one, budget generously for pre-purchase inspection by a Lotus specialist—these are labour-intensive classics, and a cheap buy will quickly become expensive.
What to check before buying a 1982 Lotus Eclat
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Lotus Eclat
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1982 Lotus Eclat vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1982 Lotus Eclat vehicles fall between 42,052 and 78,348 miles.
1982 Lotus Eclat — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 11 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022, 100% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2022.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1982 Lotus Eclat
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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37%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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27.4%
Oil leak
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23.3%
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid
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16.4%
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive
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15.1%
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play
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15.1%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive
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13.7%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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13.7%
Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1982. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Lotus Eclat?
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