Know Your MOT

MOT failure rate and common problems for the Lotus Eleven, and how to check your own car by registration.

Updated 05 September 2026.

7.4%fail rate

Lotus Eleven MOT failure rate

What a Lotus Eleven fails its MOT on, and the part that fixes each.

What it fails on, and why

Brakes50.0% of failures

Brake failures cover worn pads and discs, an imbalance between wheels, corroded or scored discs, or a binding caliper. Braking efficiency is measured on a rolling road, so a spongy or pulling brake shows up as a low reading.

Steering25.0% of failures

Steering faults are typically worn track-rod ends or ball joints, play in the rack, or a split gaiter letting grease out and dirt in. Excessive free play at the wheel fails.

The parts that fix each

If your car has just failed, you have 10 working days to fix the items and get a free partial retest. Confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying.

For the brakes failure: Lotus Eleven brake pads and discsShop Lotus Eleven brake pads and discs on AmazonaffiliateFind Lotus Eleven brake pads and discs on eBayaffiliate
For the steering failure: Lotus Eleven steering track rod endsShop Lotus Eleven steering track rod ends on AmazonaffiliateFind Lotus Eleven steering track rod ends on eBayaffiliate

Other models

All Lotus models MOT failure rates comparedRanked worst to bestLotus Elise MOT failures18.1% failure rateLotus Elan MOT failures21.7% failure rateFord Fiesta MOT failures27.1% failure rate

Questions and answers

What is the MOT failure rate of the Lotus Eleven?

It fails 7.4% of its MOT tests across the DVSA record, from 54 tests.

What do these cars fail their MOT on most?

The most common failure area is brakes, at 50.0% of this model's failures.