Lexus Is MOT pass rate and common problems
90.3% of 21,904 Lexus Is MOT tests pass.
The Is has a pass rate of 90.3%, a little higher than the average across all Lexus models (88.9%).
The Lexus Is passes its MOT 90.3% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Lexus Is?
This is the average across every Lexus Is 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 94.1% at 0–3 years to 76.5% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 94.1% | 51 | 35,401 miles |
| 3–6 years | 93.5% | 4,069 | 48,482 miles |
| 6–10 years | 91.2% | 12,785 | 81,439 miles |
| 10–15 years | 87.0% | 4,125 | 98,576 miles |
| 15+ years | 76.5% | 874 | 122,867 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Lexus Is
The most common reason the Lexus Is fails its MOT is tyres — present in 53.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has ply or cords exposed".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 53.2% | Has ply or cords exposed |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 34.9% | Not working on dipped beam |
| Brakes | 21.5% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 17.5% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Suspension | 4.7% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.0% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 2.2% | Shield missing where fitted as original equipment creating a risk of fire |
| Road Wheels | 2.2% | Fixing missing |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.4% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Steering | 1.4% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
Buying a used Lexus Is: what to check
These checks follow the Lexus Is’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 Is comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 87.0% to 76.5%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 92.8% down to 89.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 53.2% of failed Lexus Is MOTs. 8.0% of tests at 10–15 years failed on tyres, against 2.0% at 0–3 years.
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. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 34.9% of failed Lexus Is MOTs. 18.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.0% at 0–3 years.
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.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 21.5% of failed Lexus Is MOTs. 12.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 3.9% at 0–3 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.
4. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 17.5% of failed Lexus Is 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.
5. Suspension
Recorded in 4.7% of failed Lexus Is MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 3.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
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 NX — 94.6% pass rate
- Lexus CT — 89.3% pass rate
- Lexus RX — 94.8% pass rate
- Lexus Ux — 96.7% pass rate
- Lexus IS250 — 81.3% pass rate
- Lexus RX400H — 77.9% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Lexus Is?
- 90.3% of Lexus Is MOT tests pass, based on 21,904 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Lexus Is?
- The most common reason the Lexus Is fails its MOT is tyres — present in 53.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has ply or cords exposed".
- What are the common problems with the Lexus Is?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Lexus Is are tyres; lights and electrics; brakes. 8.0% of tests at 10–15 years failed on tyres, against 2.0% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Lexus Is?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; brakes; windscreen and wipers; 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 Is'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.