Lexus Es MOT pass rate and common problems
96.0% of 5,763 Lexus Es MOT tests pass.
The Es passes its MOT 96.0% of the time — well above the average across all Lexus models, which sits at 88.9%.
The Lexus Es passes its MOT 96.0% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Lexus Es?
This is the average across every Lexus Es in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Lexus’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 97.5% at 0–3 years to 95.3% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 97.5% | 1,997 | 26,133 miles |
| 3–6 years | 95.3% | 3,747 | 43,799 miles |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (5) | 5 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | too few tests (11) | 11 | no reading |
| 15+ years | too few tests (3) | 3 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Lexus Es
The most common reason the Lexus Es fails its MOT is tyres — present in 59.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has ply or cords exposed".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 59.1% | Has ply or cords exposed |
| Visibility | 23.6% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 20.7% | Too low |
| Brakes | 8.1% | Excessively fluctuating |
| Suspension | 3.5% | Has a serious fluid leak |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.4% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.2% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Road Wheels | 1.2% | Fixing missing |
| Steering | 0.3% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.3% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
Buying a used Lexus Es: what to check
These checks follow the Lexus Es’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Lexus Es comes between 0–3 years and 3–6 years old, from 97.5% to 95.3%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 97.7% down to 94.2%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 59.1% of failed Lexus Es MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 23.6% of failed Lexus Es MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 20.7% of failed Lexus Es MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 8.1% of failed Lexus Es MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Suspension
Recorded in 3.5% of failed Lexus Es MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Lexus service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Lexus models
- Lexus RX450H — 84.3% pass rate
- Lexus IS200 — 74.6% pass rate
- Lexus IS220 — 75.4% pass rate
- Lexus GS — 91.8% pass rate
- Lexus RX300 — 74.9% pass rate
- Lexus GS300 — 80.8% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Lexus Es?
- 96.0% of Lexus Es MOT tests pass, based on 5,763 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Lexus Es?
- The most common reason the Lexus Es fails its MOT is tyres — present in 59.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has ply or cords exposed".
- What are the common problems with the Lexus Es?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Lexus Es are tyres; windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Lexus Es?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics; brakes; suspension. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Lexus Es's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Lexus service history guide for how to check and keep one.