Lexus Is300
From 1,275 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn and tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements. The top issue, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, caused 33 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.
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 33 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 22 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 19 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 19 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 17 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 17 |
| a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 16 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 16 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 15 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 15 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 17.5% of Is300 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 38.1% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £106.
Fuel type matters
Hybrid versions pass at 86.8% while Petrol versions pass at 75.5%, a 11 percentage point gap.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 70.9% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen |
| 2003 | 74.3% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2002 | 80.2% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake |
| 2001 | 71.3% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage |
Typical mileage
Half of all Is300s tested had between 87,434 and 149,812 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 118,025 median miles, the Is300 has 0.019 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Lexus models
Common questions
What is the Lexus Is300 MOT pass rate?
The Lexus Is300 has a 77.4% MOT pass rate based on 1,275 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Lexus Is300?
The most common MOT failure on the Lexus Is300 is the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, which caused 33 failures. Other common issues include a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn.
What is the typical mileage of a Lexus Is300 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Lexus Is300 is 118,025 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 87,434 and 149,812 miles.
Buying a used Is300?
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.
With a 77.4% pass rate and an average repair bill of £106 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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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.