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Lotus Elise (2002)

1,278 real MOT outcomes analysed • 80.3% first-time pass rate

2002 Lotus Elise

CarHunch analysed 1,278 real MOT records for the 2002 Lotus Elise. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Average reliability In line with UK average
80.3%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
33,911
typical mileage
22,805–47,285 middle half
11.4%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
2.04
avg MOT failures per car
over 12 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2002 Lotus Elise

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 Elise

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (100%) 1,274 80.3% 2.04
Other (0%) 4 88.5% 0.5

Mileage Distribution

Most 2002 Lotus Elise 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.

22,805
low mileage
33,911
typical
47,285
high mileage

Half of all 2002 Lotus Elise vehicles fall between 22,805 and 47,285 miles.

2002 Lotus Elise — Still on the Road

375 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 68% of the peak remain.

548 375 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

12
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
2.04
Avg failures per vehicle
7.9
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2002 Lotus Elise

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 41.7%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 38.3%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 34%
    Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
  • 29%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 28.6%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 20.1%
    Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive
  • 19.9%
    Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
  • 19.4%
    Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Lotus Elise?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Lotus Elise:

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2015 2016