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Lexus IS200 Sport Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Lexus IS200 Sport car check

Is the Lexus IS200 Sport reliable? We analysed 1,948 real MOT tests across 429 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,948 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
77.3%
Typical Mileage
93,825mi
Annual Mileage
6,438mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
27yrs

The Lexus IS200 Sport 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 Sport.

Lexus IS200 Sport Number Plates

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

Lexus IS200 Sport MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

77.2%
2004
81%
2003
77.7%
2002
79.1%
2001
76%
2000
76.2%
1999

Lexus IS200 Sport Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Lexus IS200 Sport fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 126
position lamp(s) not working 44
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 33
suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint 27
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 27
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 26
Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak 24
brake binding 22
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 22
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 18

Lexus IS200 Sport Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
3,569 mi/yr
Typical
6,438 mi/yr
Average
7,806 mi/yr
Heavy usage
10,207 mi/yr

Lexus IS200 Sport MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2004 79 77.2% 48,732 74,453 98,226
2003 211 81.0% 40,572 53,224 85,336
2002 238 77.7% 54,240 74,604 95,486
2001 302 79.1% 62,560 83,505 105,234
2000 391 76.0% 77,982 93,246 114,092
1999 344 76.2% 89,684 105,850 128,936

How Long Does a Lexus IS200 Sport Last?

Based on 429 Lexus IS200 Sport vehicles on UK roads.

Average
8.6 years
Median
7.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
27 years

Lexus IS200 Sport Mileage Distribution

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

Median
93,825 mi
75th Percentile
120,264 mi
95th Percentile
157,453 mi
Max Recorded
314,127 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Lexus IS200 Sport

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

Best year
2003

81.0% MOT pass rate from 211 tests

Year to avoid
2000

76.0% MOT pass rate from 391 tests

The best year to buy a used Lexus IS200 Sport is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 81.0% across 211 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 76.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Lexus IS200 Sport Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Lexus IS200 Sport THIS CAR 77.3% 1,948 93,825 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
Buell XB9SX 85.1% 2,346 9,392 mi 22 yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Lexus IS200 Sport?

The Lexus IS200 Sport has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.3% across 1,948 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 Sport are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (126 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (44), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (33). 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 Sport owner drives around 6,438 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 Sport 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 Sport — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Lexus IS200 Sport reliable?
Based on 1,948 MOT tests, the Lexus IS200 Sport has a 77.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Lexus IS200 Sport?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, position lamp(s) not working, and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Lexus IS200 Sport do per year?
The typical Lexus IS200 Sport does around 6,438 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Lexus IS200 Sport last?
Most Lexus IS200 Sport models stay on UK roads for around 27 years based on our analysis of 429 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Lexus IS200 Sport?
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 Sport?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Lexus IS200 Sport is 2003 with a 81.0% pass rate across 211 tests.