The Lotus Elite spans 1981–2008 with 0 recorded NHTSA recalls. It delivers competitive fuel economy and NHTSA-rated safety.
We're still compiling NHTSA safety, recall and owner-complaint data for the Lotus Elite — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
Overview
The Lotus Elite is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1981 to 2008 across multiple generations.
How to read a Lotus Elite VIN — every digit explained
Every Lotus Elite carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Lotus and the country it was built in (real Lotus codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Elite.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- ChinaLJU
- UKSCC
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Elite, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Lotus Elite have?
The Lotus Elite has 0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–2008. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Lotus Elite
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Lotus Elite — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Lotus Elite problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Lotus Elite — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Lotus Elite specifications & dimensions
The 2008 Lotus Elite. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Lotus Elite window sticker.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Lotus Elite cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Elite holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Lotus Elite tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Lotus Elite get?
MPG cache warming… reload in a moment.
What engines does the Lotus Elite have? Power & range
Powertrain data warming… reload in a moment.
How much does a Lotus Elite cost to own?
A Lotus Elite depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Check what a used Elite is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Elite loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — based on EPA economy at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Elite ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Lotus Elite safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Elite yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
Tired of ads? Go Pro.
- Zero ads — clean, fast pages
- Exact mileage-adjusted car values
- Full research reports + PDF
- Market charts & price-drop alerts
- …and much more
How many miles does a Lotus Elite last?
A well-maintained Lotus Elite typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain.
Check your Lotus Elite’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Elite’s VIN free →All Lotus Elite model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Lotus Elite — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Elite | 0 | — | — |
| 2007 Elite | 0 | — | — |
| 1997 Elite | 0 | — | — |
| 1996 Elite | 0 | — | — |
| 1995 Elite | 0 | — | — |
| 1994 Elite | 0 | — | — |
| 1993 Elite | 0 | — | — |
| 1992 Elite | 0 | — | — |
| 1990 Elite | 0 | — | — |
| 1984 Elite | 0 | — | — |
| 1983 Elite | 0 | — | — |
| 1982 Elite | 0 | — | — |
| 1981 Elite | 0 | — | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Elite?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Lotus Elite.
How many recalls does the Elite have?
0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–2008. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
How many miles does a Elite last?
A well-maintained Elite typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Elite reliable?
We're still compiling NHTSA data for the Lotus Elite — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
What's the Lotus Elite warranty?
New Lotus models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Lotus dealer.
Where is the Lotus Elite made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Elite's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Lotus may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Elite have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.