Lexus IS220 MOT pass rate and common problems
75.4% of 7,047 Lexus IS220 MOT tests pass.
The IS220 passes 75.4% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Lexus models (88.9%).
At 75.4%, the Lexus IS220 passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Lexus IS220?
This is the average across every Lexus IS220 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 stays relatively stable with age: 76.1% at 10–15 years versus 75.2% 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 | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 76.1% | 1,875 | 118,256 miles |
| 15+ years | 75.2% | 5,172 | 130,434 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Lexus IS220
The most common reason the Lexus IS220 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 70.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 70.5% | Not working |
| Brakes | 53.4% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 25.8% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Suspension | 16.6% | Has a serious fluid leak |
| Visibility | 13.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Body, chassis, structure | 11.3% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.2% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Road Wheels | 4.2% | Fixing missing |
| Steering | 2.6% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.1% | Inscription illegible |
Buying a used Lexus IS220: what to check
These checks follow the Lexus IS220’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.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 87.6% down to 80.9%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 70.5% of failed Lexus IS220 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. Brakes
Recorded in 53.4% of failed Lexus IS220 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.
3. Tyres
Recorded in 25.8% of failed Lexus IS220 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.
4. Suspension
Recorded in 16.6% of failed Lexus IS220 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.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 13.9% of failed Lexus IS220 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 RX400H — 77.9% pass rate
- Lexus RX450H — 84.3% pass rate
- Lexus IS200 — 74.6% pass rate
- Lexus Es — 96.0% pass rate
- Lexus GS — 91.8% pass rate
- Lexus RX300 — 74.9% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Lexus IS220?
- 75.4% of Lexus IS220 MOT tests pass, based on 7,047 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Lexus IS220?
- The most common reason the Lexus IS220 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 70.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Lexus IS220?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Lexus IS220 are lights and electrics; brakes; tyres.
- What should I check when buying a used Lexus IS220?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; tyres; suspension; 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 IS220'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.