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Lexus IS200 SE Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Lexus IS200 SE car check

Is the Lexus IS200 SE reliable? We analysed 3,133 real MOT tests across 576 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 3,133 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
74.8%
Typical Mileage
90,856mi
Annual Mileage
6,605mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
27yrs

The Lexus IS200 SE is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lexus IS200 SE.

Lexus IS200 SE Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Lexus IS200 SE. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Lexus IS200 SE MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Lexus IS200 SE to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

79.8%
2005
75.4%
2004
73.6%
2003
75.6%
2002
74.8%
2001
75.5%
2000
73.8%
1999

Lexus IS200 SE Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Lexus IS200 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 224
suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint 82
position lamp(s) not working 76
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 61
Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak 58
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 47
Headlamp aim too low 44
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 40
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 34
Registration plate lamp not working 32

Lexus IS200 SE Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Lexus IS200 SE owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
3,965 mi/yr
Typical
6,605 mi/yr
Average
7,800 mi/yr
Heavy usage
10,029 mi/yr

Lexus IS200 SE MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lexus IS200 SE year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2005 124 79.8% 44,792 68,750 93,224
2004 171 75.4% 35,067 57,718 84,101
2003 197 73.6% 38,125 54,743 83,883
2002 454 75.6% 55,951 79,153 108,858
2001 552 74.8% 61,894 84,128 108,500
2000 600 75.5% 70,752 94,549 120,895
1999 607 73.8% 82,524 104,248 133,375

How Long Does a Lexus IS200 SE Last?

Based on 576 Lexus IS200 SE vehicles on UK roads.

Average
8.8 years
Median
8.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
27 years

Lexus IS200 SE Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Lexus IS200 SE MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
90,856 mi
75th Percentile
120,447 mi
95th Percentile
159,508 mi
Max Recorded
954,099 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Lexus IS200 SE

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

Best year
2005

79.8% MOT pass rate from 124 tests

Year to avoid
2003

73.6% MOT pass rate from 197 tests

The best year to buy a used Lexus IS200 SE is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.8% across 124 tests. The 2003 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.6% — 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 SE Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Lexus IS200 SE THIS CAR 74.8% 3,133 90,856 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
Ktm 400 Exc 81.6% 5,491 3,758 mi 26 yrs

Compared to the Lexus IS200 (75.4% pass rate) and the Lexus Ct (86.8% pass rate), the Lexus IS200 SE trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Lexus IS200 SE?

The Lexus IS200 SE has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.8% across 3,133 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Lexus IS200 SE are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (224 recorded failures), suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (82), and position lamp(s) not working (76). 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 SE owner drives around 6,605 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 SE 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.

Lexus IS200 SE — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Lexus IS200 SE reliable?
Based on 3,133 MOT tests, the Lexus IS200 SE has a 74.8% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Lexus IS200 SE?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint, and position lamp(s) not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Lexus IS200 SE do per year?
The typical Lexus IS200 SE does around 6,605 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Lexus IS200 SE last?
Most Lexus IS200 SE models stay on UK roads for around 27 years based on our analysis of 576 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Lexus IS200 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 IS200 SE?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Lexus IS200 SE is 2005 with a 79.8% pass rate across 124 tests.