Lexus IS200 MOT pass rate and common problems
74.6% of 9,122 Lexus IS200 MOT tests pass.
The IS200 passes 74.6% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Lexus models (88.9%).
At 74.6%, the Lexus IS200 passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Lexus IS200?
This is the average across every Lexus IS200 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 76.8% at 10–15 years to 74.4% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (2) | 2 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 76.8% | 809 | 112,605 miles |
| 15+ years | 74.4% | 8,311 | 114,406 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Lexus IS200
The most common reason the Lexus IS200 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 53.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 53.9% | Not working |
| Suspension | 46.5% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Brakes | 31.1% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 25.4% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 15.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 15.6% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 15.1% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 7.3% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 3.5% | Malfunctioning |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.6% | Inscription illegible |
Buying a used Lexus IS200: what to check
These checks follow the Lexus IS200’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 IS200 comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 76.8% to 74.4%. 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: 92.2% down to 80.7%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 53.9% of failed Lexus IS200 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.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 46.5% of failed Lexus IS200 MOTs. 15.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 4.9% 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.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 31.1% of failed Lexus IS200 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.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 25.4% of failed Lexus IS200 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.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 15.9% of failed Lexus IS200 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.
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 IS250 — 81.3% pass rate
- Lexus RX400H — 77.9% pass rate
- Lexus RX450H — 84.3% pass rate
- Lexus IS220 — 75.4% pass rate
- Lexus Es — 96.0% pass rate
- Lexus GS — 91.8% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Lexus IS200?
- 74.6% of Lexus IS200 MOT tests pass, based on 9,122 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Lexus IS200?
- The most common reason the Lexus IS200 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 53.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Lexus IS200?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Lexus IS200 are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Lexus IS200?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; tyres; windscreen and wipers. 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 IS200'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.