Models · Lotus
Lotus Evora buying guide
The Evora is a mid-engined 2+2 (or two-seater) with a bonded aluminium chassis and a Toyota-based 3.5 V6, built from 2009 to 2021, naturally aspirated at first and supercharged from the 2010 Evora S onwards.
The versions
- Evora (2009): 3.5 V6, 276bhp
- Evora S (2010): supercharged 3.5 V6, 345bhp
- Evora 400 (2015): supercharged and intercooled, 400bhp; Sport 410 (2016), 410bhp; GT430 (2017), 430bhp (power as given in bhp by Autocar)
- Six-speed manual, or IPS six-speed torque converter automatic from 2010; rear-wheel drive
- 2+2 or two-seater, with Tech, Sports and Premium packs
What to check on a Evora
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Manual gear cables
What to look for: On a manual, go through every gear several times, including from cold. Note a vague, loose shift, a stiff or obstructive one, or a rattle from the gear lever area.
Why it matters: The Toyota gearbox itself is almost trouble-free, but the gear linkage cables are a known weak point. Early cars often had loose shifts, usually put right under warranty, and some replacement cables later became stiff. For the 2012 model year Lotus fitted low-friction selector cables. Adjusting the cables means removing interior trim. The IPS automatic avoids the issue.
Clutch wear
What to look for: At idle with the engine warm, listen for loud chattering from behind the seats. On the drive, feel for slip when accelerating in a higher gear and note a heavy clutch pedal.
Why it matters: A clutch can wear out as early as 25,000 miles on a hard-driven car, and replacement is a major job. The 2012 model-year update brought a low-inertia flywheel. The chain-driven V6 is reliable, and the ECU can show any record of over-revving.
A knock from the front
What to look for: Drive slowly over speed bumps and broken surfaces and listen for a knock from the front of the car.
Why it matters: A front knock usually means worn anti-roll bar bushes, a known item on these cars and a straightforward fix. Steering should feel precise and the car should stop straight; anything less points to geometry that needs setting up or wear elsewhere.
Also in the full guide
- Early-car fixes in the history
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the Evora
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Lotus.