Lexus Is
From 19,918 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer Iss fare better: 2020 models pass at 92.2% vs 81.9% for 2013.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged and tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements. The top issue, a tyre seriously damaged, caused 379 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a tyre seriously damaged | 379 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 374 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 267 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 193 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 126 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 112 |
| a tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative | 96 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 79 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 76 |
| brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn | 56 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 50.5% of failures are serious: 50.5% are safety issues (brakes, steering, tyre damage) and 0% could actually leave you stranded. That's close to the 44.4% average across all models. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £68.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 92.2% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, tyres on the same axle or on twin wheels are different sizes |
| 2019 | 91.2% | a tyre seriously damaged, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen |
| 2018 | 92.4% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2017 | 89.5% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
4 earlier years
| 2016 | 88.4% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2015 | 88.8% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2014 | 87.2% | a tyre cords visible or damaged, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2013 | 81.9% | a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led, a tyre seriously damaged |
Typical mileage
Half of all Iss tested had between 38,881 and 72,480 miles on the clock.
At 55,338 median miles, the Is has 0.02 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Lexus models
| Lexus Nx | 91.8% |
| Lexus Ct | 85.7% |
| Lexus Rx | 93.6% |
| Lexus Ux | 94.6% |
| Lexus Is250 | 80.4% |
Common questions
What is the Lexus Is MOT pass rate?
The Lexus Is has a 88.9% MOT pass rate based on 19,918 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Lexus Is?
The most common MOT failure on the Lexus Is is a tyre seriously damaged, which caused 379 failures. Other common issues include a tyre cords visible or damaged.
What is the typical mileage of a Lexus Is at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Lexus Is is 55,338 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 38,881 and 72,480 miles.
Buying a used Is?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.