Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 0 | 1 |
| 2010 | 0 | 1 |
| 2009 | 0 | 2 |
| 2008 | 0 | 2 |
| 2007 | 0 | 1 |
| 2006 Exige | 1 | 1 |
| 2005 | 0 | 1 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Visibility1
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
In New Zealand
37 Exige cars are on the New Zealand register; 38% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2021 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| 2016 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| 2015 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2006 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the United Kingdom
893 Exige cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | — |
| 2022 | 17 | 16 |
| 2021 | 59 | 36 |
| 2020 | 45 | 33 |
| 2019 | 74 | 17 |
| 2018 | 67 | 25 |
| 2017 | 57 | 34 |
| 2016 | 49 | 52 |
| 2015 | 54 | 47 |
| 2014 | 53 | 41 |
| 2013 | 30 | 44 |
| 2012 | 0 | 7 |
| 2011 | 4 | 7 |
| 2010 | 46 | 43 |
| 2009 | 24 | 29 |
| 2008 | 54 | 57 |
| 2007 | 57 | 73 |
| 2006 | 75 | 71 |
| 2005 | 59 | 58 |
| 2004 | 31 | 24 |
| 2001 | 10 | 59 |
| 2000 | 26 | 58 |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
103 Exige cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 87% passed first time, against 56% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 103 | 87% |
Why they fail
Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).
| Area | Exige | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.7% | 21.5% |
| Visibility | 1.9% | 7.3% |
| Suspension | 1.9% | 17.3% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.9% | 6.6% |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.9% | 0.6% |
| Brakes | 1.9% | 13.1% |
| Steering | 1.0% | 3.5% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
New registrations in Europe
1,554 new Lotus Exige cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Germany (53), Italy (14), Austria (7).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 86 | 230 (WLTP) |
| 2021 | 156 | 230 (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 191 | 229 (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 273 | 228 (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 260 | 233 (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 246 | 237 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 154 | — |
| 2015 | 2 | — |
| 2013 | 8 | — |
| 2012 | 2 | — |
| 2011 | 32 | — |
| 2010 | 144 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the Exige in 1 alert. European versions can differ from the North American car.
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.
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
4 campaigns cover the Exige.
Lotus Cars USA, Inc. (Lotus) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Elise and Exige vehicles manufactured from November 2007 to July 2011, and 2011 Evora vehicles manufactured September 2010 through September 2011. The oil cooler hose may detach from its fitting.
Lotus is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Elise and Exige vehicles manufactured from December 1, 2006, through October 31, 2007. The oil cooler line may become detached from its fitting.
LOTUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 ELISE AND EXIGE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004, THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2006. THE OIL COOLER LINE MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM ITS FITTING.
LOTUS IS RECALLING 87 MODEL YEAR 2009 ELISE AND EXIGE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 2008 THROUGH MAY 5, 2009. THE REAR HUB FLANGE BOLTS ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY BE UNDER-TORQUED AND MAY BECOME LOOSE. IF THAT OCCURS, AN INSECURE HUB COULD LEAD TO DEGRADATION IN VEHICLE HANDLING, AND A RUBBING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA recalls