Lexus IS200 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Lexus IS200 car check
Is the Lexus IS200 reliable? We analysed 546,826 real MOT tests across 35,416 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Lexus IS200? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Lexus IS200 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, position lamp(s) not working and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lexus IS200.
Lexus IS200 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Lexus IS200. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Lexus IS200 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Lexus IS200 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Lexus IS200 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Lexus IS200 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Lexus IS200 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Lexus IS200 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Lexus IS200 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lexus IS200 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,406 | 81.9% | 47,576 | 73,269 | 105,003 |
| 2011 | 6,645 | 83.0% | 51,223 | 79,421 | 112,078 |
| 2010 | 1,130 | 81.8% | 55,794 | 83,817 | 110,598 |
| 2009 | 484 | 81.8% | 52,177 | 81,212 | 112,454 |
| 2008 | 818 | 80.9% | 61,624 | 88,616 | 118,348 |
| 2007 | 1,470 | 79.1% | 64,784 | 95,599 | 123,377 |
| 2006 | 1,577 | 79.7% | 64,588 | 94,216 | 126,378 |
| 2005 | 32,658 | 77.5% | 47,339 | 73,301 | 102,098 |
| 2004 | 71,886 | 77.7% | 45,098 | 71,297 | 101,270 |
| 2003 | 84,346 | 77.2% | 48,937 | 75,576 | 104,439 |
| 2002 | 88,466 | 75.8% | 56,237 | 82,398 | 110,852 |
| 2001 | 102,356 | 74.4% | 66,130 | 92,136 | 120,392 |
| 2000 | 92,664 | 72.8% | 74,714 | 100,365 | 127,771 |
| 1999 | 60,396 | 72.5% | 79,188 | 103,982 | 130,894 |
| 1998 | 112 | 65.2% | 71,413 | 86,089 | 115,454 |
How Long Does a Lexus IS200 Last?
Based on 35,416 Lexus IS200 vehicles on UK roads.
Lexus IS200 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Lexus IS200 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Lexus IS200
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
83.0% MOT pass rate from 6,645 tests
65.2% MOT pass rate from 112 tests
The best year to buy a used Lexus IS200 is 2011, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.0% across 6,645 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Lexus IS200 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus IS200 THIS CAR | 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 |
| Lexus IS250 | 83.3% | 212,901 | 66,683 mi | 21 yrs |
| BMW Z3 | 73.2% | 498,063 | 73,907 mi | 29 yrs |
Compared to the Lexus Ct (86.8% pass rate) and the Lexus RX300 (79.0% pass rate), the Lexus IS200 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Lexus IS200 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Lexus IS200Should you buy a used Lexus IS200?
The Lexus IS200 has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.4% across 546,826 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 IS200 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (31,437 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (12,861), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (10,257). 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 IS200 owner drives around 5,944 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 IS200 models stay on UK roads for around 27 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.