Lotus Evora (Evora, 400 and GT) buying guide

At launch there was only a 280hp car with a 6-speed manual. In 2010 the Evora S arrived with 350hp, and an IPS automatic became an option that adds 54kg. Parkers says interior quality improved with the 2012 model year update.

Build date matters. Cars from after September 2011 have an improved gearshift and a low inertia flywheel. The short ratio gearbox was a £1,495 option on early cars and is standard on the S. It is desirable but hurts CO2 and fuel consumption.

The Evora 400 arrived in 2015 with 400hp at 7,000rpm, a 4.2-second 0-62mph time with the manual and a 186mph top speed. Browse used Evora 400 for sale or read the Evora 400 price guide before you shop.

In 2017 the standard and S models gave way to the GT410 and GT430, with 410 and 430hp. The GT430 ended in 2019, the GT410 in 2021. Parkers calls the GT410 the more compliant car, with softer suspension and more sound insulation. PistonHeads says the GT430 is 47 percent stiffer at the front and 20 percent at the rear, and calls the GT410 Sport a neat halfway house with most of the GT430's thrills. RAC Drive rates the GTE the most wanted special edition, with six made in right-hand drive and 16 in left-hand drive. See used Evora GT for sale and the Evora GT market.

Most of the known faults are tied to early cars, so the build date narrows your search before the inspection does.

Gear linkage cables

Early manual cars had cable-operated shift problems, and Lotus replaced the cables under warranty. Parkers also lists loose linkage cables, particularly on early cars, as a known Evora issue.

Clutch master cylinder

The pedal dropping to the floor is the sign that the clutch master cylinder has failed, and CarChecker says it happens most often on pre-2012 cars.

Rear control arm cracks

The rear upper control arm can crack at the casting seam, and TSB 2011/19 covers it. Clunks under braking are the sign to chase.

Engine wiring harness

On cars built before late 2013, the engine wiring harness is a weak point.

Supercharger failures

Odd supercharger failures have hit 400s, mostly an early batch of US cars, according to PistonHeads.

Air-con condenser

Early condensers were troublesome, and road debris striking the unit often kills one. Misrouted condenser pipes can also leave the passenger footwell damp.

Early door handles

Door handles were weak on early cars, so work the ones on the car in front of you.

RAC Drive gives a service interval of every 9000 miles, with minor services about £500 and major services around £800, the latter due every four years. Those are UK figures. The same source puts a manual clutch at around 50,000 miles.

Clutch replacement is expensive because the rear clamshell must come off, and CarChecker says specialists charge €4,000-6,000. RAC Drive prices a replacement condenser at about £175 before fitting, and AP Racing brake pads at around £200 for the fronts and the same for the rears.

Treat build date as your first filter. Sources tie the clutch master cylinder to pre-2012 cars and the wiring harness to cars built before late 2013, and cars from after September 2011 got the better gearshift and low inertia flywheel. Among the later cars, the GT410 is the softer, more compliant Evora, and the GT410 Sport gives most of the GT430's thrills. The GT430 is much stiffer, so drive one before you commit.

Whichever you choose, have the casting seams of the rear upper control arms inspected for cracks, and on a manual, check how the gear lever slots home.