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Lexus Is 250 SE Auto Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Lexus Is 250 SE Auto car check

Is the Lexus Is 250 SE Auto reliable? We analysed 4,771 real MOT tests across 324 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 4,771 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
82.5%
Typical Mileage
77,387mi
Annual Mileage
5,871mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
21yrs

The Lexus Is 250 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 tyre has ply or cords exposed. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lexus Is 250 SE Auto.

Lexus Is 250 SE Auto Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Lexus Is 250 SE Auto. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Lexus Is 250 SE Auto MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Lexus Is 250 SE Auto to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

83.5%
2009
82.7%
2008
82.4%
2007
81.4%
2006
82.5%
2005

Lexus Is 250 SE Auto Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Lexus Is 250 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 108
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 47
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 36
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 29

Lexus Is 250 SE Auto Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Lexus Is 250 SE Auto models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 46

Lexus Is 250 SE Auto Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Lexus Is 250 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
3,700 mi/yr
Typical
5,871 mi/yr
Average
6,872 mi/yr
Heavy usage
9,129 mi/yr

Lexus Is 250 SE Auto MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lexus Is 250 SE Auto year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2009 139 83.5% 33,085 56,766 88,904
2008 590 82.7% 48,244 74,667 105,852
2007 1,435 82.4% 45,760 72,134 102,124
2006 1,229 81.4% 51,310 81,939 111,688
2005 1,019 82.5% 49,574 80,442 109,214

How Long Does a Lexus Is 250 SE Auto Last?

Based on 324 Lexus Is 250 SE Auto vehicles on UK roads.

Average
15.2 years
Median
17.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
21 years

Lexus Is 250 SE Auto Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Lexus Is 250 SE Auto MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
77,387 mi
75th Percentile
107,836 mi
95th Percentile
150,895 mi
Max Recorded
1,555,554 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Lexus Is 250 SE Auto

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

Best year
2009

83.5% MOT pass rate from 139 tests

Year to avoid
2006

81.4% MOT pass rate from 1,229 tests

The best year to buy a used Lexus Is 250 SE Auto is 2009, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.5% across 139 tests. The 2006 model year has the lowest pass rate at 81.4% — 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 250 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 Is 250 SE Auto THIS CAR 82.5% 4,771 77,387 mi 21 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 Ex 650 Caf 87.5% 2,783 13,286 mi 16 yrs

Compared to the Lexus IS200 (75.4% pass rate) and the Lexus Ct (86.8% pass rate), the Lexus Is 250 SE Auto sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Lexus Is 250 SE Auto?

The Lexus Is 250 SE Auto has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.5% across 4,771 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 250 SE Auto are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (108 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (47), and tyre has ply or cords exposed (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.

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 250 SE Auto 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 250 SE Auto owner drives around 5,871 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 250 SE Auto models stay on UK roads for around 21 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 250 SE Auto — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Lexus Is 250 SE Auto reliable?
Based on 4,771 MOT tests, the Lexus Is 250 SE Auto has a 82.5% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Lexus Is 250 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 tyre has ply or cords exposed. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Lexus Is 250 SE Auto do per year?
The typical Lexus Is 250 SE Auto does around 5,871 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Lexus Is 250 SE Auto last?
Most Lexus Is 250 SE Auto models stay on UK roads for around 21 years based on our analysis of 324 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Lexus Is 250 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 Is 250 SE Auto?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Lexus Is 250 SE Auto is 2009 with a 83.5% pass rate across 139 tests.