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Lexus GS300 SE Auto Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Lexus GS300 SE Auto car check

Is the Lexus GS300 SE Auto reliable? We analysed 2,088 real MOT tests across 331 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,088 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
76.2%
Typical Mileage
109,784mi
Annual Mileage
6,520mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
29yrs

The Lexus GS300 SE Auto is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lexus GS300 SE Auto.

Lexus GS300 SE Auto Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Lexus GS300 SE Auto. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Lexus GS300 SE Auto MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Lexus GS300 SE Auto to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

78.2%
2006
79.7%
2005
80.4%
2002
82.7%
2001
79.5%
2000
77%
1999
74.7%
1998
73%
1997

Lexus GS300 SE Auto Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Lexus GS300 SE Auto fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 121
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 47
position lamp(s) not working 36
Stop lamp not working 29
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 29
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 26
suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint 24
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 23
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 22
Headlamp aim too low 14

Lexus GS300 SE Auto Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Lexus GS300 SE Auto owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
3,962 mi/yr
Typical
6,520 mi/yr
Average
7,949 mi/yr
Heavy usage
9,724 mi/yr

Lexus GS300 SE Auto MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lexus GS300 SE Auto year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2006 55 78.2% 43,820 60,016 78,882
2005 133 79.7% 53,826 82,416 110,781
2002 143 80.4% 74,700 102,416 121,704
2001 133 82.7% 60,110 81,305 120,522
2000 146 79.5% 78,657 108,245 146,821
1999 187 77.0% 79,378 108,569 138,345
1998 792 74.7% 95,970 117,153 141,596
1997 63 73.0% 104,635 125,852 155,181

How Long Does a Lexus GS300 SE Auto Last?

Based on 331 Lexus GS300 SE Auto vehicles on UK roads.

Average
10.9 years
Median
10.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
29 years

Lexus GS300 SE Auto Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Lexus GS300 SE Auto MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
109,784 mi
75th Percentile
135,738 mi
95th Percentile
177,976 mi
Max Recorded
772,554 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Lexus GS300 SE Auto

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2001

82.7% MOT pass rate from 133 tests

Year to avoid
1997

73.0% MOT pass rate from 63 tests

The best year to buy a used Lexus GS300 SE Auto is 2001, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 82.7% across 133 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Lexus GS300 SE Auto Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Lexus GS300 SE Auto THIS CAR 76.2% 2,088 109,784 mi 29 yrs
Lexus IS200 75.4% 546,826 87,139 mi 27 yrs
Lexus Ct 86.8% 304,916 55,351 mi 15 yrs
Lexus RX300 79% 229,652 83,424 mi 26 yrs
Harley-davidson Pan America 1250 Special 95.3% 682 7,029 mi — yrs

Compared to the Lexus IS200 (75.4% pass rate) and the Lexus Ct (86.8% pass rate), the Lexus GS300 SE Auto sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Lexus GS300 SE Auto?

The Lexus GS300 SE Auto has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.2% across 2,088 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Lexus GS300 SE Auto are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (121 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (47), and position lamp(s) not working (36). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Lexus GS300 SE Auto owner drives around 6,520 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Lexus GS300 SE Auto models stay on UK roads for around 29 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Lexus GS300 SE Auto — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Lexus GS300 SE Auto reliable?
Based on 2,088 MOT tests, the Lexus GS300 SE Auto has a 76.2% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Lexus GS300 SE Auto?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and position lamp(s) not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Lexus GS300 SE Auto do per year?
The typical Lexus GS300 SE Auto does around 6,520 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Lexus GS300 SE Auto last?
Most Lexus GS300 SE Auto models stay on UK roads for around 29 years based on our analysis of 331 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Lexus GS300 SE Auto?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Lexus GS300 SE Auto?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Lexus GS300 SE Auto is 2001 with a 82.7% pass rate across 133 tests.