Lotus Elise statistics

• Licensed in Great Britain 3,528 −2.5% on a year earlier
• Declared SORN 3,816 Off the road, not taxed
• MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 86.1% Cars of the same ages 63.2%
• Rank by number licensed No. 478 of 1,159 models we cover
• Peak year 2007 9,048 licensed
• Average annual mileage 1,228 miles a year

How many Lotus Elises are left in Great Britain?

There were 3,528 Lotus Elises licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 3,816 declared off the road (SORN). That is 61.0% fewer than the peak of 9,048 in 2007.

Lotus Elise MOT reliability

In 2025, 86.1% of Lotus Elise MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Lotus Elises tested pass 63.2% of the time, so the Lotus Elise does better than average for its age, by 22.9 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 85.6%.

Lotus Elise MOT failures

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the most common reason a Lotus Elise fails its MOT, appearing on 44.5% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 1.7% of Lotus Elise tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.

Most common Lotus Elise MOT defects and advisories

The single most common reason a Lotus Elise failed its MOT in 2025 was “Catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits”, on 13.5% of 703 failed tests. 23.5% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.

Lotus Elise by year

2 years of the Lotus Elise, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left.

Lotus Elise engine sizes and fuel types

Of the 3,449 Lotus Elises licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 93.9% have an engine of 1,701cc to 1,800cc, and 4.4% have an engine of 1,501cc to 1,600cc.

United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.

Lotus Elise fuel economy and CO2

The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Lotus Elise from 2000, when the data begins, and still lists it. On the WLTP test (listings 2019 to 2026), official combined fuel economy for its petrol versions ranges from 35.3 to 36.2 mpg, with CO2 of 173 to 177 g/km. On the older NEDC test (listings 2000 to 2018), official combined fuel economy for its petrol versions ranges from 29.7 to 44.8 mpg, with CO2 of 149 to 225 g/km.

Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated 15 Sept 2026

• Official figures from laboratory type-approval tests. VCA says they may not be achieved in real-world driving, and should not be used to rank cars with similar figures.
• NEDC figures (in VCA’s data until September 2018) and WLTP figures (from the 2019 guide) come from different tests, so they are shown separately and should not be compared.
• Engine sizes are rounded to the nearest 0.1 litre. A version is one line in VCA’s data (description, gearbox, engine and fuel), counted once however many years it was listed. Matched from VCA’s model names “Elise”, “Elise S”. How we use VCA’s figures.

Lotus Elise safety recalls

DVSA lists 10 safety recalls for the Lotus Elise since 1992, the first in 1998. The most recent was launched on 20 February 2020.

All 10 Lotus Elise recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates

A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Lotus Elise. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated 15 Sept 2026

Compare the Lotus Elise with other Lotus models