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Lexus Ls Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Lexus Ls car check

Is the Lexus Ls reliable? We analysed 8,968 real MOT tests across 722 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 8,968 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
85.9%
Typical Mileage
67,183mi
Annual Mileage
5,537mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
20yrs

The Lexus Ls 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 Ls.

Lexus Ls Number Plates

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

Lexus Ls MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

93.5%
2019
93%
2018
94.7%
2017
89.9%
2016
90%
2015
86.1%
2014
90.9%
2013
88.5%
2012
82.6%
2009
85.2%
2008
84%
2007
84.9%
2006

Lexus Ls Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 201
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 72
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 47
Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement 44
Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 35
position lamp(s) not working 31
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 29

Lexus Ls Common Faults & Problems

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

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 73

Lexus Ls Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
3,032 mi/yr
Typical
5,537 mi/yr
Average
7,216 mi/yr
Heavy usage
9,006 mi/yr

Lexus Ls MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2019 108 93.5% 19,358 27,940 37,130
2018 458 93.0% 17,356 26,532 40,190
2017 75 94.7% 18,872 26,425 41,943
2016 99 89.9% 24,275 35,079 55,464
2015 270 90.0% 29,265 54,173 89,064
2014 411 86.1% 35,831 56,726 81,621
2013 757 90.9% 32,369 54,059 85,719
2012 130 88.5% 42,113 61,200 77,228
2009 69 82.6% 36,907 47,638 62,724
2008 981 85.2% 47,568 73,757 111,224
2007 3,982 84.0% 48,354 77,236 108,998
2006 1,459 84.9% 47,581 76,235 110,228

How Long Does a Lexus Ls Last?

Based on 722 Lexus Ls vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.9 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
20 years

Lexus Ls Mileage Distribution

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

Median
67,183 mi
75th Percentile
101,726 mi
95th Percentile
159,912 mi
Max Recorded
919,303 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Lexus Ls

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

Best year
2017

94.7% MOT pass rate from 75 tests

Year to avoid
2009

82.6% MOT pass rate from 69 tests

The best year to buy a used Lexus Ls is 2017, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.7% across 75 tests. The 2009 model year has the lowest pass rate at 82.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Lexus Ls Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Lexus Ls THIS CAR 85.9% 8,968 67,183 mi 20 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
Mercedes-benz 190 D 68.9% 13,305 156,184 mi 42 yrs

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

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Should you buy a used Lexus Ls?

The Lexus Ls has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.9% across 8,968 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 Ls are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (201 recorded failures), tyre has ply or cords exposed (72), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (47). 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 Ls 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 Ls owner drives around 5,537 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 Ls models stay on UK roads for around 20 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 Ls — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Lexus Ls reliable?
Based on 8,968 MOT tests, the Lexus Ls has a 85.9% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Lexus Ls?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, tyre has ply or cords exposed, and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Lexus Ls do per year?
The typical Lexus Ls does around 5,537 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Lexus Ls last?
Most Lexus Ls models stay on UK roads for around 20 years based on our analysis of 722 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Lexus Ls?
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 Ls?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Lexus Ls is 2017 with a 94.7% pass rate across 75 tests.