Lexus IS300 MOT pass rate and common problems
80.0% of 1,227 Lexus IS300 MOT tests pass.
The IS300 passes 80.0% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Lexus models (88.9%).
The Lexus IS300's pass rate of 80.0% is in line with the national average for cars, at 79.2%.
Own this Lexus IS300?
This is the average across every Lexus IS300 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 90.7% at 6–10 years to 78.7% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (1) | 1 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | too few tests (26) | 26 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | 90.7% | 172 | 83,092 miles |
| 10–15 years | 61.2% | 49 | 122,410 miles |
| 15+ years | 78.7% | 979 | 116,767 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Lexus IS300
The most common reason the Lexus IS300 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 45.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 45.5% | Not working |
| Suspension | 37.7% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Tyres | 26.5% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Brakes | 24.9% | Excessively binding |
| Visibility | 16.5% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Body, chassis, structure | 12.5% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.0% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Steering | 3.1% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.9% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Road Wheels | 1.6% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Lexus IS300: what to check
These checks follow the Lexus IS300’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 IS300 comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 90.7% to 61.2%. 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: 93.8% down to 85.9%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 45.5% of failed Lexus IS300 MOTs. 14.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.9% at 6–10 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.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 37.7% of failed Lexus IS300 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 11.8% 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.
3. Tyres
Recorded in 26.5% of failed Lexus IS300 MOTs. 38.8% of tests at 10–15 years failed on tyres, against 3.5% at 6–10 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.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 24.9% of failed Lexus IS300 MOTs. 20.4% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 0.6% at 6–10 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.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 16.5% of failed Lexus IS300 MOTs. 5.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.2% at 6–10 years.
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 GS450H — 81.7% pass rate
- Lexus LS430 — 84.9% pass rate
- Lexus RX350 — 77.5% pass rate
- Lexus LS — 88.9% pass rate
- Lexus LC — 96.5% pass rate
- Lexus LS600H — 91.4% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Lexus IS300?
- 80.0% of Lexus IS300 MOT tests pass, based on 1,227 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Lexus IS300?
- The most common reason the Lexus IS300 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 45.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Lexus IS300?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Lexus IS300 are lights and electrics; suspension; tyres. 14.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.9% at 6–10 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Lexus IS300?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; tyres; brakes; 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 IS300'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.