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Lexus Is 220D SE Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Lexus Is 220D SE car check

Is the Lexus Is 220D SE reliable? We analysed 7,837 real MOT tests across 794 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 7,837 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
80.7%
Typical Mileage
100,910mi
Annual Mileage
7,561mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
20yrs

The Lexus Is 220D SE 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 windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lexus Is 220D SE.

Lexus Is 220D SE Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Lexus Is 220D SE. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Lexus Is 220D SE MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Lexus Is 220D SE to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

83.3%
2010
82.5%
2009
80%
2008
80.3%
2007
80.4%
2006

Lexus Is 220D SE Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Lexus Is 220D SE fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 232
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 74
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 66
position lamp(s) not working 59
Headlamp aim too low 43
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 39

Lexus Is 220D SE Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Lexus Is 220D SE models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 102

Lexus Is 220D SE Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Lexus Is 220D SE owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
4,916 mi/yr
Typical
7,561 mi/yr
Average
8,790 mi/yr
Heavy usage
11,234 mi/yr

Lexus Is 220D SE MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lexus Is 220D SE year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2010 239 83.3% 64,080 94,992 121,789
2009 690 82.5% 71,247 97,876 129,777
2008 1,143 80.0% 62,476 89,467 118,914
2007 2,111 80.3% 65,448 96,159 126,400
2006 2,261 80.4% 66,694 96,450 126,632

How Long Does a Lexus Is 220D SE Last?

Based on 794 Lexus Is 220D SE vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.8 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
20 years

Lexus Is 220D SE Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Lexus Is 220D SE MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
100,910 mi
75th Percentile
132,246 mi
95th Percentile
176,071 mi
Max Recorded
1,326,814 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Lexus Is 220D SE

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

Best year
2010

83.3% MOT pass rate from 239 tests

Year to avoid
2008

80.0% MOT pass rate from 1,143 tests

The best year to buy a used Lexus Is 220D SE is 2010, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.3% across 239 tests. The 2008 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Lexus Is 220D SE Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Lexus Is 220D SE THIS CAR 80.7% 7,837 100,910 mi 20 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
Kawasaki GPX600R 80% 4,142 28,366 mi 38 yrs

Compared to the Lexus IS200 (75.4% pass rate) and the Lexus Ct (86.8% pass rate), the Lexus Is 220D SE sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Lexus Is 220D SE?

The Lexus Is 220D SE has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.7% across 7,837 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 Is 220D SE are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (232 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (74), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (66). 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.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Lexus Is 220D SE with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Lexus Is 220D SE owner drives around 7,561 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 Is 220D SE models stay on UK roads for around 20 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 Is 220D SE — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Lexus Is 220D SE reliable?
Based on 7,837 MOT tests, the Lexus Is 220D SE has a 80.7% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Lexus Is 220D SE?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Lexus Is 220D SE do per year?
The typical Lexus Is 220D SE does around 7,561 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Lexus Is 220D SE last?
Most Lexus Is 220D SE models stay on UK roads for around 20 years based on our analysis of 794 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Lexus Is 220D SE?
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 Is 220D SE?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Lexus Is 220D SE is 2010 with a 83.3% pass rate across 239 tests.