Lexus IS200 S Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Lexus IS200 S car check
Is the Lexus IS200 S reliable? We analysed 984 real MOT tests across 190 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Lexus IS200 S? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Lexus IS200 S 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 brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lexus IS200 S.
Lexus IS200 S Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Lexus IS200 S. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Lexus IS200 S MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Lexus IS200 S to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Lexus IS200 S Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Lexus IS200 S fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Lexus IS200 S Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Lexus IS200 S owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Lexus IS200 S MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lexus IS200 S year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 69 | 78.3% | 51,516 | 72,852 | 89,777 |
| 2002 | 141 | 76.6% | 70,790 | 93,782 | 132,244 |
| 2001 | 171 | 78.9% | 59,787 | 82,168 | 112,621 |
| 2000 | 307 | 74.3% | 78,009 | 97,738 | 121,466 |
| 1999 | 232 | 73.7% | 73,054 | 97,078 | 119,342 |
How Long Does a Lexus IS200 S Last?
Based on 190 Lexus IS200 S vehicles on UK roads.
Lexus IS200 S Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Lexus IS200 S 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 S
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
78.9% MOT pass rate from 171 tests
73.7% MOT pass rate from 232 tests
The best year to buy a used Lexus IS200 S is 2001, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 78.9% across 171 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.7% — 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 S Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus IS200 S THIS CAR | 75.5% | 984 | 93,057 mi | 27 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 |
| Zontes Zt 125-G1 | 82.9% | 826 | 5,887 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Lexus IS200 (75.4% pass rate) and the Lexus Ct (86.8% pass rate), the Lexus IS200 S sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Lexus IS200 S 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 IS200 SShould you buy a used Lexus IS200 S?
The Lexus IS200 S has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.5% across 984 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 S are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (79 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (30), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (28). 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 S owner drives around 7,391 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 S 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.