Lexus RX MOT pass rate and common problems
94.8% of 27,282 Lexus RX MOT tests pass.
The RX passes its MOT 94.8% of the time — well above the average across all Lexus models, which sits at 88.9%.
The Lexus RX passes its MOT 94.8% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Lexus RX?
This is the average across every Lexus RX 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 97.7% at 0–3 years to 83.8% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 97.7% | 2,559 | 24,235 miles |
| 3–6 years | 97.0% | 9,932 | 36,299 miles |
| 6–10 years | 94.2% | 11,440 | 62,993 miles |
| 10–15 years | 88.6% | 3,166 | 87,953 miles |
| 15+ years | 83.8% | 185 | 146,124 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Lexus RX
The most common reason the Lexus RX fails its MOT is tyres — present in 44.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 44.3% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 26.5% | Too low |
| Visibility | 17.7% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Brakes | 15.9% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Suspension | 13.4% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 4.6% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.7% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Road Wheels | 0.7% | Fixing missing |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.7% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Steering | 0.5% | Ball joint has excessive play |
Buying a used Lexus RX: what to check
These checks follow the Lexus RX’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 RX comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 94.2% to 88.6%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 90.9% down to 83.4%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 44.3% of failed Lexus RX 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.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 26.5% of failed Lexus RX MOTs. 15.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 0.5% at 0–3 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.
3. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 17.7% of failed Lexus RX MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 4.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 15.9% of failed Lexus RX MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 5.4% of tests at 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 13.4% of failed Lexus RX MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 12.4% 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.
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 NX — 94.6% pass rate
- Lexus CT — 89.3% 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 RX?
- 94.8% of Lexus RX MOT tests pass, based on 27,282 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Lexus RX?
- The most common reason the Lexus RX fails its MOT is tyres — present in 44.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
- What are the common problems with the Lexus RX?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Lexus RX are tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers.
- What should I check when buying a used Lexus RX?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers; 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 RX'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.