Lexus NX MOT pass rate and common problems
94.6% of 46,688 Lexus NX MOT tests pass.
The NX passes its MOT 94.6% of the time — well above the average across all Lexus models, which sits at 88.9%.
The Lexus NX passes its MOT 94.6% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Lexus NX?
This is the average across every Lexus NX 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 97.8% at 0–3 years to 89.2% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 97.8% | 5,969 | 22,854 miles |
| 3–6 years | 95.2% | 20,033 | 34,870 miles |
| 6–10 years | 93.1% | 20,547 | 60,094 miles |
| 10–15 years | 89.2% | 139 | 80,722 miles |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Lexus NX
The most common reason the Lexus NX fails its MOT is tyres — present in 38.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 38.1% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Visibility | 34.6% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 22.3% | Too high |
| Brakes | 14.5% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Suspension | 12.4% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.9% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.1% | Retracting mechanism defective |
| Body, chassis, structure | 2.1% | Shield missing where fitted as original equipment creating a risk of fire |
| Road Wheels | 0.7% | Fixing missing |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.2% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
Buying a used Lexus NX: what to check
These checks follow the Lexus NX’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 NX comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 93.1% to 89.2%. 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: 97.2% down to 94.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 38.1% of failed Lexus NX MOTs. 4.3% 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. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 34.6% of failed Lexus NX MOTs. 3.9% of tests at 6–10 years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.0% at 0–3 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.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 22.3% of failed Lexus NX 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.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 14.5% of failed Lexus NX MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 3.6% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes.
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. Suspension
Recorded in 12.4% of failed Lexus NX MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 4.3% of tests at 10–15 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 CT — 89.3% pass rate
- Lexus RX — 94.8% pass rate
- Lexus Is — 90.3% 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 NX?
- 94.6% of Lexus NX MOT tests pass, based on 46,688 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Lexus NX?
- The most common reason the Lexus NX fails its MOT is tyres — present in 38.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
- What are the common problems with the Lexus NX?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Lexus NX are tyres; windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics. 4.3% 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 NX?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics; brakes; 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 NX'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.