MOT performance

Lexus IS MOT pass rate and common failures

Across 77,300 MOT tests of the Lexus IS in 2023–2024, 77.1% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Lexus ISs failed 32% less often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “position lamp: not working”, on 3.10% of tests.

77,300 MOT tests on 39,770 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto

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At a glance

Lexus IS MOT results at a glance
Figure	Value	Basis
First-time pass rate	77.1%	±0.3 pts (95%), n = 77,300
Failures vs similar cars	0.68×	same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00
Tests with a dangerous defect	7.5%	n = 77,300
Average age at test	12.8 years	n = 77,300
Median mileage at test	91,761 miles	n = 77,300
Vehicles tested	39,770	2023–2024

Where Lexus ISs fail

The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.

Lexus IS MOT failures by area
Area	Tests failed on it	vs similar cars
Lights, reflectors and electrical	9.7%	-37%
Tyres	6.9%	+2%
Brakes	6.2%	-29%
Suspension	3.7%	-68%
Driver's view of the road	3.6%	-36%
Noise, emissions and leaks	2.4%	-48%
Body, chassis and structure	1.8%	-65%
Seat belts and airbags	0.6%	-58%
Road wheels	0.5%	+15%
Steering	0.5%	-80%
Registration plates and VIN	0.4%	-10%

Lexus IS MOT pass rate by fuel: petrol vs hybrid vs diesel

Raw pass rates partly reflect how old each fuel's cars are; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Fuels that differ materially from the model as a whole have their own page.

Lexus IS MOT results by fuel
Fuel	Tests	Average age	First-time pass	vs similar cars
Petrol	37,146	16.5 yrs	72.2%	-35%
Hybrid	26,627	6.9 yrs	87.5%	-28%
Diesel	12,257	14.7 yrs	68.6%	-26%

Most common failure items

Most common Lexus IS MOT failure items
Item	Area	Share of tests
Position lamp: not working	Lights, reflectors and electrical	3.10%
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	2.33%
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively	Driver's view of the road	1.94%
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect	Lights, reflectors and electrical	1.84%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick	Brakes	1.75%
Condition: has ply or cords exposed	Tyres	1.75%
Headlamp: not working on dipped beam	Lights, reflectors and electrical	1.58%
Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords	Tyres	1.30%
Headlamp aim: too low	Lights, reflectors and electrical	1.21%
Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak	Suspension	0.97%

Most common advisories

Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.

Most common Lexus IS MOT advisories
Item	Area	Share of tests
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	16.18%
Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	Brakes	7.74%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick	Brakes	6.85%
Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure	Tyres	6.38%
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded	Brakes	4.38%

Pass rate by age

Lexus IS MOT pass rate by age at test
Age at test (years)	Tests	First-time pass rate	Failures vs similar cars
3-4	3,751	89.6%	-12%
5-6	5,982	89.8%	-30%
7-8	9,827	87.4%	-32%
9-10	9,149	84.7%	-33%
11-12	5,207	79.2%	-42%
13-15	15,702	73.8%	-38%
16+	27,188	67.6%	-28%

Pass rate by registration year

Lexus IS MOT pass rate by registration year
Registered	Tests	First-time pass rate	Failures vs similar cars
2020	1,153	89.8%	0.94×
2019	2,395	89.4%	0.86×
2018	2,923	90.6%	0.69×
2017	3,163	89.1%	0.72×
2016	4,062	87.3%	0.74×
2015	5,697	87.3%	0.66×
2014	6,360	85.3%	0.69×
2013	3,366	85.1%	0.63×
2012	1,792	81.8%	0.53×
2011	3,029	77.9%	0.59×
2010	4,595	75.9%	0.60×
2009	5,064	74.2%	0.61×
2008	5,790	72.3%	0.63×
2007	7,413	70.0%	0.67×
2006	6,010	68.9%	0.68×
2005	3,248	67.5%	0.71×
2004	3,054	65.7%	0.77×
2003	2,710	66.7%	0.74×
2002	2,320	64.6%	0.80×
2001	1,656	64.8%	0.82×
2000	871	66.0%	0.82×
1999	563	64.3%	0.91×

Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.

Compared with similar models

Check a specific Lexus IS

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UK number plate or 17-character VIN

About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.