Lotus Elise (2009)
2009 Lotus Elise
CarHunch analysed 150 real MOT records for the 2009 Lotus Elise. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2009 Lotus Elise passes its MOT first time at 87.7%, well above the UK average of 80%, and dangerous defects are uncommon at 13.3% — a solid sign of reliability for a lightweight sports car of this age. With an average of 1.44 failures per vehicle and 6.5 advisories, these cars do require attention, but the high pass rate suggests owners are generally keeping them in working order.
At just over 27,000 miles on average, these Elises have been driven gently for their 15 years, which partly explains the strong MOT performance. Before buying one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the high advisory count — likely wear items like tyres, suspension bushes, and brake pads that need monitoring closely on a car this old.
What to check before buying a 2009 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.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Mileage Distribution
Most 2009 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.
Half of all 2009 Lotus Elise vehicles fall between 17,635 and 35,718 miles.
2009 Lotus Elise — Still on the Road
87 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 69% of the peak remain.
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
Most Common MOT Issues — 2009 Lotus Elise
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
51.2%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
-
42.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
39.3%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
20.8%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
19.7%
Nearside Headlamp aim too high
-
18.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
17.4%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
16.7%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009. 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.