Lexus IS300 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Lexus IS300 car check
Is the Lexus IS300 reliable? We analysed 34,961 real MOT tests across 2,047 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Lexus IS300? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Lexus IS300 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 IS300.
Lexus IS300 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Lexus IS300. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Lexus IS300 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Lexus IS300 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Lexus IS300 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Lexus IS300 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Lexus IS300 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Lexus IS300 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Lexus IS300 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Lexus IS300 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Lexus IS300 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lexus IS300 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 88 | 88.6% | 24,678 | 35,962 | 51,816 |
| 2016 | 196 | 90.8% | 42,442 | 63,276 | 83,763 |
| 2015 | 170 | 85.9% | 48,175 | 62,344 | 100,320 |
| 2014 | 314 | 82.5% | 43,157 | 64,368 | 107,648 |
| 2013 | 177 | 86.4% | 41,791 | 77,375 | 142,648 |
| 2007 | 82 | 87.8% | 51,870 | 85,517 | 116,474 |
| 2006 | 131 | 78.6% | 61,290 | 92,846 | 118,371 |
| 2005 | 1,946 | 78.2% | 42,891 | 68,653 | 101,501 |
| 2004 | 6,479 | 78.1% | 46,483 | 73,416 | 102,396 |
| 2003 | 7,971 | 79.7% | 47,882 | 74,114 | 106,112 |
| 2002 | 12,508 | 77.2% | 57,753 | 84,009 | 115,000 |
| 2001 | 4,663 | 75.9% | 63,445 | 89,414 | 118,444 |
How Long Does a Lexus IS300 Last?
Based on 2,047 Lexus IS300 vehicles on UK roads.
Lexus IS300 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Lexus IS300 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 IS300
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.8% MOT pass rate from 196 tests
75.9% MOT pass rate from 4,663 tests
The best year to buy a used Lexus IS300 is 2016, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.8% across 196 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Lexus IS300 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus IS300 THIS CAR | 78.1% | 34,961 | 79,192 mi | 25 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 |
| Daimler Super V8 | 78.5% | 11,576 | 82,308 mi | 31 yrs |
Compared to the Lexus IS200 (75.4% pass rate) and the Lexus Ct (86.8% pass rate), the Lexus IS300 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Lexus IS300 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 IS300Should you buy a used Lexus IS300?
The Lexus IS300 has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.1% across 34,961 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 IS300 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1,456 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (584), and tyre has ply or cords exposed (542). 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 IS300 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 IS300 owner drives around 5,420 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 IS300 models stay on UK roads for around 25 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.