Used Lotus Elise 2011-2022 review reliability
Category: Sports car
The Lotus Elise is one of the best driver's cars out there, but be prepared for its limited versatility, luxury and tech
What should I look for in a used Lotus Elise sports?
The Elise is a car that's built to be driven spiritedly, and many have likely been to a track or two. When you look around it and go for a test drive, make sure its mechanical parts haven't worn too much – or broken, for that matter.
What are the most common problems with a used Lotus Elise sports?
Risk of fire
This recall describes an issue with oil cooler pipes, stating that they may detach from their fittings and deposit oil in the engine compartment on the road/tyres, which can lead to increased risk of fire and loss of vehicle control. Only the pipes with smooth bore ferrules are affected.
Bolts securing the fuel rail to the cylinder head may fail
This recall can be resolved by the spacers and fuel rail securing bolts being replaced with new revised parts. Contact your local Lotus dealer if you believe you have an affected vehicle.
Is a used Lotus Elise sports reliable?
Lotus and its Elise didn't feature in our latest What Car? Reliability Survey. Lotus would have appeared in our brands section, while the Elise would be in our coupés, convertibles and sports cars section. Being too niche is responsible for these absences.
That said, this generation of Elise has a generally positive reputation when it comes to reliability. Its plastic composite body is tough and the aluminium chassis has proved to be rugged. Engines should be bulletproof too.
