Lexus RX450H MOT pass rate and common problems
84.3% of 11,161 Lexus RX450H MOT tests pass.
At 84.3%, the RX450H passes slightly less often than the average across all Lexus models (88.9%).
The Lexus RX450H passes its MOT 84.3% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Lexus RX450H?
This is the average across every Lexus RX450H 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 95.8% at 3–6 years to 78.8% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (1) | 1 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 95.8% | 48 | 41,170 miles |
| 6–10 years | 95.8% | 166 | 63,808 miles |
| 10–15 years | 84.9% | 9,450 | 111,461 miles |
| 15+ years | 78.8% | 1,496 | 135,318 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Lexus RX450H
The most common reason the Lexus RX450H fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 50.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 50.1% | Not working |
| Suspension | 41.5% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Tyres | 23.5% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Brakes | 19.4% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 12.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Body, chassis, structure | 3.6% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.1% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Road Wheels | 1.9% | Fixing missing |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.9% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Steering | 0.8% | Ball joint has excessive play |
Buying a used Lexus RX450H: what to check
These checks follow the Lexus RX450H’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 RX450H comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 95.8% to 84.9%. 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 91.7%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 50.1% of failed Lexus RX450H MOTs. 13.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.1% at 3–6 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 41.5% of failed Lexus RX450H MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 15.6% 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 23.5% of failed Lexus RX450H MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 5.4% of tests at 10–15 years failed on tyres.
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 19.4% of failed Lexus RX450H MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 7.5% 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. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 12.9% of failed Lexus RX450H 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 Ux — 96.7% pass rate
- Lexus IS250 — 81.3% pass rate
- Lexus RX400H — 77.9% pass rate
- Lexus IS200 — 74.6% pass rate
- Lexus IS220 — 75.4% pass rate
- Lexus Es — 96.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Lexus RX450H?
- 84.3% of Lexus RX450H MOT tests pass, based on 11,161 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Lexus RX450H?
- The most common reason the Lexus RX450H fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 50.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Lexus RX450H?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Lexus RX450H are lights and electrics; suspension; tyres. 13.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.1% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Lexus RX450H?
- 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 RX450H'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.