Lotus Exige
Registered from 2000 to 2020.
About this model
The Lotus Exige is a sports car made by the British company Lotus Cars from 2000 until 2021. Originally a coupé version of the Lotus Elise roadster, since the Series 3 the Exige has been the larger-engined model of the family, featuring a V6 engine in place of the Elise's straight-four. Convertible versions of both models are available. «Exige» is French and means "demand"/"require".
From the Wikipedia article Lotus Exige, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2006 1.8 petrol. 9 of 115 tests failed, 8%.
Better than 98% of 2006 cars. The typical one fails 27%, across 889 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 67% | 6 |
| Brakes | 22% | 2 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 22% | 2 |
| Suspension | 22% | 2 |
| Plates and identity | 11% | 1 |
| Steering | 11% | 1 |
The defects inspectors cite
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
- A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
Where it stands out against its peers
- Lights and electrics: failed more often than 98% of 2006 cars — 67% of its 9 failed tests, where an ordinary 2006 car has 40%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Brakes — 22% of its failures
- Exhaust and emissions — 22% of its failures
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Suspension — 22% of its failures
- A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
- A suspension component missing, likely to become detached or directional stability impaired
- Steering — 11% of its failures
- A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
- Lights and electrics — 67% of its failures
- A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Plates and identity — 11% of its failures
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 3.5 petrol · 410 hp · 1185 kg · 2390 mm wheelbase · 9.6 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 3.5 petrol · 410 hp · 1185 kg · 2370 mm wheelbase · 9.6 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 3.5 petrol · 375 hp · 1189 kg · 2370 mm wheelbase · 10.1 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 3.5 petrol · 374 hp · 1189 kg · 2370 mm wheelbase · 10.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/0919/14
The oil cooler pipes may detach from their fittings and deposit oil in the engine compartment and on the road/tyres which can lead to an increased risk of fire and loss of vehicle control.
Recall of the product from end users