Lotus Emira Problems by Year
The Emira is Lotus's final internal combustion engine car, designed to be a genuine, everyday usable rival to the Porsche Cayman, replacing the Elise, Exige, and Evora in one swoop. It marks a massive leap in interior quality, technology, and refinement for the brand, while retaining the signature hydraulic steering and mid-engined balance. In the UK, it is available with either a Toyota supercharged V6 (manual or auto) or an AMG-sourced turbocharged four-cylinder (dual-clutch auto). Early reviews praise its stunning mini-supercar looks and handling, though early build quality niggles have been reported. It is perfect for buyers who want an exotic, gorgeous sports car that can comfortably be driven every day.
Select a year below to see the specific problems affecting that model year, with estimated repair costs and severity ratings.
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Browse Lotus Emira in our Directory
View MOT history, registration data, and reliability scores for the Lotus Lotus Emira.
View Lotus Emira DirectoryBuying Tips for the Lotus Emira
- ✓On early First Edition models, check for any software updates addressing infotainment lag or warning light glitches.
- ✓Test the manual gearshift on the V6; it should be precise, but some owners report it feeling overly stiff when cold.
- ✓Inspect the interior trim and panel gaps carefully, as early production cars had slightly inconsistent build quality.
- ✓Verify the operation of the climate control system, ensuring it blows cold and the digital interface is responsive.
- ✓Check the beautiful alloy wheels for curbing; the car is wide and visibility over the rear shoulders is poor.
- ✓If buying the AMG four-cylinder model, ensure the dual-clutch transmission shifts smoothly at low urban speeds.