Lotus Elise (2016)
2016 Lotus Elise
CarHunch analysed 100 real MOT records for the 2016 Lotus Elise. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2016 Lotus Elise passes its MOT first time at 90.7%, well above the UK average of 80%, and only 10% of tested vehicles have ever recorded a dangerous defect—suggesting these cars are genuinely well-maintained by their owners. The median mileage of just 15,083 miles points to careful use typical of specialist sports car ownership, though the average 0.74 failures per vehicle and 3.1 advisories per test indicate minor wear items do crop up.
At this mileage and pass rate, a 2016 Elise in the used market is likely to be in good mechanical order, but you should budget for those advisory-level jobs (often brake fluid, suspension geometry, and trim wear on a lightweight sportscar) during ownership. Get a full pre-purchase inspection and confirm service history—these cars reward attentive owners.
What to check before buying a 2016 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
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Mileage Distribution
Most 2016 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 2016 Lotus Elise vehicles fall between 9,431 and 21,927 miles.
2016 Lotus Elise — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 91 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 96% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2016 Lotus Elise
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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22.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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17.9%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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16.4%
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14.4%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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9.2%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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8.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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8.7%
Nearside Headlamp aim too low
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8.2%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016. 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.