Lexus IS250 MOT pass rate and common problems
81.3% of 14,471 Lexus IS250 MOT tests pass.
The IS250 passes 81.3% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Lexus models (88.9%).
The Lexus IS250 has a pass rate of 81.3%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Lexus IS250?
This is the average across every Lexus IS250 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 84.5% at 10–15 years to 80.0% 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 (4) | 4 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (5) | 5 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 84.5% | 4,311 | 86,809 miles |
| 15+ years | 80.0% | 10,151 | 109,297 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Lexus IS250
The most common reason the Lexus IS250 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 58.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 58.7% | Not working |
| Brakes | 38.9% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 27.9% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 22.9% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Visibility | 12.7% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Suspension | 10.6% | Has a serious fluid leak |
| Body, chassis, structure | 7.3% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Road Wheels | 2.5% | Fixing missing |
| Steering | 1.9% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.6% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Lexus IS250: what to check
These checks follow the Lexus IS250’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 IS250 comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 84.5% to 80.0%. 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: 90.0% down to 83.6%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 58.7% of failed Lexus IS250 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 38.9% of failed Lexus IS250 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 27.9% of failed Lexus IS250 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. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 22.9% of failed Lexus IS250 MOTs.
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. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 12.7% of failed Lexus IS250 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 RX — 94.8% pass rate
- Lexus Is — 90.3% pass rate
- Lexus Ux — 96.7% pass rate
- Lexus RX400H — 77.9% pass rate
- Lexus RX450H — 84.3% pass rate
- Lexus IS200 — 74.6% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Lexus IS250?
- 81.3% of Lexus IS250 MOT tests pass, based on 14,471 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Lexus IS250?
- The most common reason the Lexus IS250 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 58.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Lexus IS250?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Lexus IS250 are lights and electrics; brakes; tyres.
- What should I check when buying a used Lexus IS250?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; tyres; exhaust, emissions and leaks; 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 IS250'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.