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Lexus IS years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

31,037 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2003–2019 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

All 16 Lexus IS years have MOT pass rates above the average for vehicles first used in the same year.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

77.9%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 77.4% to 78.3%.

In 2025, 77.9% of the 31,037 initial MOT tests on Lexus IS cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 64.9%. That is 13.0 points above the same-age average.

In our tables of the highest MOT pass rates by age: joint 1st of 167 cars first used in 2015; joint 1st of 116 cars first used in 2010.

Check a specific IS

Its own MOT history, free.

Lexus IS MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2019age 61,16652,40089.3%±2.0+5.8 ptsall: 83.5%
2018age 71,47958,20091.2%±1.6+10.3 ptsall: 80.9%
2017age 81,57364,10090.0%±1.6+11.8 ptsall: 78.2%
2016age 91,98273,60085.3%±1.7+10.4 ptsall: 74.9%
2015age 102,79382,30085.9%±1.4+14.0 ptsall: 71.9%
2014age 113,04091,40084.9%±1.4+16.3 ptsall: 68.6%
2013age 121,64692,70083.5%±1.9+17.7 ptsall: 65.8%
2011age 141,44992,20077.8%±2.3+16.6 ptsall: 61.2%
2010age 152,16999,60074.6%±1.9+15.3 ptsall: 59.3%
2009age 162,229108,00073.0%±1.9+14.7 ptsall: 58.3%
2008age 172,407112,50073.9%±1.8+16.7 ptsall: 57.2%
2007age 182,954117,90070.0%±1.7+12.6 ptsall: 57.4%
2006age 192,372118,70068.6%±1.9+11.6 ptsall: 57.0%
2005age 201,366114,00065.7%±2.6+8.1 ptsall: 57.6%
2004age 211,276107,20065.4%±2.7+7.6 ptsall: 57.8%
2003age 221,136110,70066.0%±2.9+7.3 ptsall: 58.7%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Common IS problems at the MOT

Share of the 6,863 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

What to check when viewing a IS

Based on the areas where Lexus IS MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Lights and electrics

    In 42.4% of failed IS tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

  2. Tyres

    In 29.9% of failed IS tests

    • Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
    • Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
    • Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a IS's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Lexus IS cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Lexus IS cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 8.6% failed on tyres, against 4.7% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 4,465 and 14,821 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory8.6%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted4.7%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 16.1% of those with a tyre advisory and 15.4% of the others.

Brakes

Of Lexus IS cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 10.4% failed on brakes, against 4.6% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 3,192 and 16,046 cars.

  • With a brake advisory10.4%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted4.6%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 19.3% of those with a brake advisory and 14.8% of the others.

Suspension

Of Lexus IS cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 9.9% failed on suspension, against 4.4% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,670 and 15,677 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory9.9%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted4.4%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 25.8% of those with a suspension advisory and 14.4% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this outAll models compared, with the data

Lexus IS questions

Which Lexus IS years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 2003–2011 and 2013–2019. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Lexus IS reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 77.9% of initial MOT tests on Lexus IS cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 64.9%. That is 13.0 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Lexus IS problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 42.4% of failed tests) and tyres (in 29.9% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Lexus IS?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Lexus IS cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 82,300 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific IS's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Lexus IS

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Lexus models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

Cars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Lexus IS cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count