Lexus IS250 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Lexus IS250 car check
Is the Lexus IS250 reliable? We analysed 212,901 real MOT tests across 13,468 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Lexus IS250? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Lexus IS250 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, tyre has ply or cords exposed and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lexus IS250.
Lexus IS250 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Lexus IS250. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Lexus IS250 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Lexus IS250 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Lexus IS250 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Lexus IS250 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Lexus IS250 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Lexus IS250 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Lexus IS250 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Lexus IS250 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Lexus IS250 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lexus IS250 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 60 | 90.0% | 25,401 | 44,500 | 67,509 |
| 2012 | 5,591 | 87.6% | 32,352 | 49,224 | 74,273 |
| 2011 | 11,284 | 85.9% | 35,066 | 54,938 | 79,186 |
| 2010 | 19,229 | 85.8% | 36,544 | 59,634 | 87,068 |
| 2009 | 21,306 | 84.7% | 37,534 | 60,003 | 88,152 |
| 2008 | 33,458 | 83.1% | 41,316 | 66,274 | 96,840 |
| 2007 | 47,365 | 82.7% | 42,496 | 69,074 | 100,139 |
| 2006 | 51,720 | 82.0% | 45,468 | 72,766 | 104,068 |
| 2005 | 22,290 | 81.8% | 46,914 | 74,000 | 104,640 |
How Long Does a Lexus IS250 Last?
Based on 13,468 Lexus IS250 vehicles on UK roads.
Lexus IS250 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Lexus IS250 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 IS250
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.0% MOT pass rate from 60 tests
81.8% MOT pass rate from 22,290 tests
The best year to buy a used Lexus IS250 is 2014, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.0% across 60 tests. The 2005 model year has the lowest pass rate at 81.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Lexus IS250 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus IS250 THIS CAR | 83.3% | 212,901 | 66,683 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 |
| Peugeot 405 | 64% | 393,825 | 136,147 mi | 37 yrs |
Compared to the Lexus IS200 (75.4% pass rate) and the Lexus Ct (86.8% pass rate), the Lexus IS250 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Lexus IS250 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 IS250Should you buy a used Lexus IS250?
The Lexus IS250 has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.3% across 212,901 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 IS250 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (3,643 recorded failures), tyre has ply or cords exposed (1,616), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1,610). 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 IS250 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 IS250 owner drives around 5,477 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 IS250 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.