Lexus RX350 MOT pass rate and common problems
77.5% of 1,307 Lexus RX350 MOT tests pass.
The RX350 passes 77.5% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Lexus models (88.9%).
At 77.5%, the Lexus RX350 passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Lexus RX350?
This is the average across every Lexus RX350 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: 79.2% at 10–15 years versus 77.5% 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 (17) | 17 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 79.2% | 53 | 118,013 miles |
| 15+ years | 77.5% | 1,233 | 104,796 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Lexus RX350
The most common reason the Lexus RX350 fails its MOT is brakes — present in 49.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Less than 1.5 mm thick".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 49.4% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 38.3% | Not working |
| Suspension | 31.0% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 19.0% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Tyres | 13.7% | Has ply or cords exposed |
| Body, chassis, structure | 12.8% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Visibility | 10.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.8% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 2.8% | Leaking |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.5% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Lexus RX350: what to check
These checks follow the Lexus RX350’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 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 84.7% down to 72.6%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Brakes
Recorded in 49.4% of failed Lexus RX350 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 14.1% 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.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 38.3% of failed Lexus RX350 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.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 31.0% of failed Lexus RX350 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 8.7% 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.
4. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 19.0% of failed Lexus RX350 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. Tyres
Recorded in 13.7% of failed Lexus RX350 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.
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 LS400 — 81.8% pass rate
- Lexus GS450H — 81.7% pass rate
- Lexus LS430 — 84.9% pass rate
- Lexus LS — 88.9% pass rate
- Lexus IS300 — 80.0% pass rate
- Lexus LC — 96.5% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Lexus RX350?
- 77.5% of Lexus RX350 MOT tests pass, based on 1,307 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Lexus RX350?
- The most common reason the Lexus RX350 fails its MOT is brakes — present in 49.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Less than 1.5 mm thick".
- What are the common problems with the Lexus RX350?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Lexus RX350 are brakes; lights and electrics; suspension. Rare on young cars, but 14.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Lexus RX350?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: brakes; lights and electrics; suspension; exhaust, emissions and leaks; tyres. 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 RX350'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.