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Lexus IS250C Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Lexus IS250C car check

Is the Lexus IS250C reliable? We analysed 8,328 real MOT tests across 580 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Lexus IS250C? Enter the reg for a free check:

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Data last updated: · Based on 8,328 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
87.0%
Typical Mileage
47,262mi
Annual Mileage
3,955mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
17yrs

The Lexus IS250C is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and tyre has ply or cords exposed. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lexus IS250C.

Lexus IS250C Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Lexus IS250C. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Lexus IS250C MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Lexus IS250C to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

87.4%
2012
88.7%
2011
87.1%
2010
85.6%
2009

Lexus IS250C Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Lexus IS250C fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 59
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 49
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 44
Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 39
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 31

Lexus IS250C Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Lexus IS250C models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 47

Lexus IS250C Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Lexus IS250C owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
2,185 mi/yr
Typical
3,955 mi/yr
Average
4,913 mi/yr
Heavy usage
6,397 mi/yr

Lexus IS250C MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lexus IS250C year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2012 914 87.4% 26,660 42,883 63,308
2011 1,967 88.7% 26,081 41,574 61,602
2010 3,017 87.1% 30,015 47,890 70,486
2009 2,361 85.6% 33,635 52,739 76,450

How Long Does a Lexus IS250C Last?

Based on 580 Lexus IS250C vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.2 years
Median
15.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
17 years

Lexus IS250C Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Lexus IS250C MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
47,262 mi
75th Percentile
70,022 mi
95th Percentile
108,690 mi
Max Recorded
574,383 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Lexus IS250C

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

Best year
2011

88.7% MOT pass rate from 1,967 tests

Year to avoid
2009

85.6% MOT pass rate from 2,361 tests

The best year to buy a used Lexus IS250C is 2011, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.7% across 1,967 tests. The 2009 model year has the lowest pass rate at 85.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Lexus IS250C Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Lexus IS250C THIS CAR 87.0% 8,328 47,262 mi 17 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
Harley-davidson XL 1200 X Forty Eight 17 90.2% 2,971 5,430 mi 10 yrs

Compared to the Lexus IS200 (75.4% pass rate) and the Lexus Ct (86.8% pass rate), the Lexus IS250C outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Lexus IS250C?

The Lexus IS250C has an overall MOT pass rate of 87.0% across 8,328 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 IS250C are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (59 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (49), and tyre has ply or cords exposed (44). 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 IS250C 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 IS250C owner drives around 3,955 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 IS250C models stay on UK roads for around 17 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 IS250C — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Lexus IS250C reliable?
Based on 8,328 MOT tests, the Lexus IS250C has a 87.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Lexus IS250C?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and tyre has ply or cords exposed. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Lexus IS250C do per year?
The typical Lexus IS250C does around 3,955 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Lexus IS250C last?
Most Lexus IS250C models stay on UK roads for around 17 years based on our analysis of 580 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Lexus IS250C?
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 IS250C?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Lexus IS250C is 2011 with a 88.7% pass rate across 1,967 tests.