Lexus GS300 MOT pass rate and common problems
80.8% of 4,705 Lexus GS300 MOT tests pass.
The GS300 passes 80.8% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Lexus models (88.9%).
The Lexus GS300 has a pass rate of 80.8%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Lexus GS300?
This is the average across every Lexus GS300 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 declines noticeably with age, from 96.9% at 10–15 years to 80.1% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | too few tests (10) | 10 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (20) | 20 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 96.9% | 160 | 77,697 miles |
| 15+ years | 80.1% | 4,515 | 114,752 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Lexus GS300
The most common reason the Lexus GS300 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 55.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 55.0% | Not working |
| Brakes | 51.7% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Suspension | 31.4% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 21.4% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Tyres | 20.3% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Body, chassis, structure | 15.3% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Visibility | 12.4% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.4% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Road Wheels | 2.3% | Fixing missing |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.2% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Lexus GS300: what to check
These checks follow the Lexus GS300’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 GS300 comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 96.9% to 80.1%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 87.9% down to 80.6%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 55.0% of failed Lexus GS300 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 14.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics.
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.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 51.7% of failed Lexus GS300 MOTs. 13.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 1.9% at 10–15 years.
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.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 31.4% of failed Lexus GS300 MOTs. 8.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 0.6% at 10–15 years.
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.
4. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 21.4% of failed Lexus GS300 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 5.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
5. Tyres
Recorded in 20.3% of failed Lexus GS300 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.
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 Es — 96.0% pass rate
- Lexus GS — 91.8% pass rate
- Lexus RX300 — 74.9% pass rate
- Lexus RC — 94.0% pass rate
- Lexus SC430 — 84.8% pass rate
- Lexus LS400 — 81.8% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Lexus GS300?
- 80.8% of Lexus GS300 MOT tests pass, based on 4,705 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Lexus GS300?
- The most common reason the Lexus GS300 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 55.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Lexus GS300?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Lexus GS300 are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension. Rare on young cars, but 14.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Lexus GS300?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; exhaust, emissions and leaks; tyres. 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 GS300'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.