Lexus LS400 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Lexus LS400 car check
Is the Lexus LS400 reliable? We analysed 81,011 real MOT tests across 7,294 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Lexus LS400? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Lexus LS400 is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pipe excessively corroded and suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lexus LS400.
Lexus LS400 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Lexus LS400. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Lexus LS400 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Lexus LS400 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Lexus LS400 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Lexus LS400 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Lexus LS400 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Lexus LS400 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Lexus LS400 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lexus LS400 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 78 | 87.2% | 89,605 | 121,050 | 156,928 |
| 2000 | 4,699 | 78.0% | 85,128 | 119,341 | 154,698 |
| 1999 | 6,137 | 78.0% | 87,873 | 120,667 | 154,753 |
| 1998 | 14,735 | 77.5% | 90,579 | 121,755 | 156,818 |
| 1997 | 10,675 | 75.1% | 92,430 | 122,973 | 154,260 |
| 1996 | 10,702 | 74.6% | 95,438 | 126,952 | 162,036 |
| 1995 | 11,309 | 73.2% | 101,188 | 131,886 | 166,047 |
| 1994 | 6,114 | 72.2% | 94,577 | 125,652 | 157,708 |
| 1993 | 6,796 | 71.8% | 77,642 | 122,703 | 156,655 |
| 1992 | 3,858 | 72.4% | 112,311 | 140,259 | 173,983 |
| 1991 | 3,255 | 73.2% | 108,280 | 140,120 | 174,918 |
| 1990 | 2,398 | 70.2% | 111,938 | 150,672 | 179,136 |
How Long Does a Lexus LS400 Last?
Based on 7,294 Lexus LS400 vehicles on UK roads.
Lexus LS400 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Lexus LS400 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 LS400
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.2% MOT pass rate from 78 tests
70.2% MOT pass rate from 2,398 tests
The best year to buy a used Lexus LS400 is 2001, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.2% across 78 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Lexus LS400 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus LS400 THIS CAR | 74.8% | 81,011 | 126,538 mi | 36 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 |
| BMW S 1000 | 91.4% | 72,017 | 10,662 mi | 16 yrs |
Compared to the Lexus IS200 (75.4% pass rate) and the Lexus Ct (86.8% pass rate), the Lexus LS400 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Lexus LS400 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 LS400Should you buy a used Lexus LS400?
The Lexus LS400 has an overall MOT pass rate of 74.8% across 81,011 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Lexus LS400 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4,048 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (2,988), and suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (1,960). 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 LS400 owner drives around 4,216 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 LS400 models stay on UK roads for around 36 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.