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United Kingdom market

Lotus Elise (S3)

2010–2021

Add to Garage
  • Lowest price

    £28,250

    Since 2020

  • Median price

    £28,350

    Since 2020 · n=3

  • Highest price

    £32,200

    Since 2020

  • Sold cars

    3

    All time

  • Sell-through

    100%

    Of 3 lots

Based on 3 verified auction results

HOLDStablelow confidence

£28,350

Market value · recent verified sales

+7.3%

12-month change

Hold or Wait

Appreciating but pace slowing. Patient buyers may find better entry.

Prices have been flat (+7.3%). No strong directional signal.

MSRP

Collectibility

5/10

Collectible

3-Year Forecast

£33,424

+18%

5-Year Forecast

£35,256

+24%

Estimates based on 3 verified United Kingdom sales.

Market scores

34

Desirability

Thin

30

Liquidity

Good

60

Resale Outlook

How many remain

See how many Lotus Elise remain on UK roads · 2025 Q4.

Licensed

6

Cars

SORN

11

Cars

Sourced from DVLA registration data via howmanyleft.co.uk. SORN = Statutory Off-Road Notification (registered but off-road).

Marque analyst note

The Lotus Elise S3 is trading at a median of £28,350 in the UK market, up 7.3 percent over the past year—a modest gain that reflects stable but unspectacular momentum. The HOLD signal suggests limited near-term catalysts, with the market pricing in gradual appreciation rather than rapid revaluation.

Liquidity remains thin, with only three sales tracked over the twelve-month period and no active listings currently recorded. This scarcity of transaction data makes reliable pricing difficult and suggests that buyers and sellers should expect extended search windows and potentially wider bid-ask spreads than more actively traded modern classics.

The Elise S3 occupies the stable modern classic tier, a classification that acknowledges its heritage and engineering credibility while reflecting modest collector demand at present. Low current desirability means the car appeals primarily to enthusiasts rather than speculative buyers, which typically supports predictable but not dramatic value growth.

Over a three-year horizon, the median is projected to reach £33,424, representing an 17.9 percent cumulative gain from today's level. A five-year base case targets £35,256, or 24.4 percent appreciation, suggesting the market expects gradual strengthening as the model ages and surviving examples remain mechanically sound.

The low-confidence rating reflects the shallow sales pool and absence of mileage data on recent transactions. Any decision to buy or hold should factor in the illiquidity profile and the likelihood that exit timing and asking price will depend more on finding the right buyer than on broad market momentum.

Depreciation Benchmark

  • Current avg value£28,350
  • Annual appr. rate+7.3%/yr

UK Park (DVLA)

  • Still licensed6
  • SORN'd (off-road)11
  • Total in DVLA records17
  • All Lotus Elises3,740
DVLA quarterly data, last updated 2025 Q4. Licensed = currently taxed and on the road. SORN = registered as off-road (storage, restoration).

Est. Annual Ownership Costs

  • Insurance (agreed value)£450
  • Maintenance£900
  • Storage£2,400
  • Depreciation— (appreciating)
  • Total annual cost£3,750
This car has historically appreciated — carrying cost is offset by value growth, not eroded by depreciation.

Market Liquidity

  • Active Listings0
  • Sales Last 12 Months0
  • Sell-Through0%

Market Snapshot

  • Active Listings0
  • Avg Sale Price£29,600
  • Avg Mileage at Sale
  • Recent Price Range£28,250 – £32,200
  • Total Sales Tracked3

Recent sales

  • £28,250

    Collecting Cars · 29 Jan 2025

  • £32,200

    Collecting Cars · 16 Jan 2025

  • £28,350

    Collecting Cars · 27 Feb 2024

Indicative only — not investment advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future value.