Lexus Sc430
From 2,940 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer Sc430s fare better: 2007 models pass at 85.5% vs 82.9% for 2002.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a tyre seriously damaged, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning and engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction. The top issue, a tyre seriously damaged, caused 63 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 | 63 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 51 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 47 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 46 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 41 |
| lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 40 |
| esc mil indicates a system malfunction | 30 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 29 |
| exhaust system leaking or insecure | 26 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 24 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 18.4% of Sc430 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 40.8% 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 £101.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 85.5% | a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps, number plate does not conform to the specified requirements |
| 2006 | 84.6% | a tyre seriously damaged, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded |
| 2005 | 89.7% | a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction |
| 2004 | 75.9% | a tyre seriously damaged, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
3 earlier years
| 2003 | 81% | engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2002 | 82.9% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2001 | 84.7% | esc mil indicates a system malfunction, a tyre seriously damaged |
Typical mileage
Half of all Sc430s tested had between 70,621 and 111,203 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 93,589 median miles, the Sc430 has 0.018 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Lexus models
Common questions
What is the Lexus Sc430 MOT pass rate?
The Lexus Sc430 has a 83.6% MOT pass rate based on 2,940 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Lexus Sc430?
The most common MOT failure on the Lexus Sc430 is a tyre seriously damaged, which caused 63 failures. Other common issues include a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning.
What is the typical mileage of a Lexus Sc430 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Lexus Sc430 is 93,589 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 70,621 and 111,203 miles.
Buying a used Sc430?
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 83.6% pass rate and an average repair bill of £101 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.