CarVerify

Lexus Rx Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Lexus Rx car check

Is the Lexus Rx reliable? We analysed 100,234 real MOT tests across 18,637 vehicles to find out.

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

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 100,234 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
92.6%
Typical Mileage
41,212mi
Annual Mileage
6,670mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
13yrs

The Lexus Rx is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lexus Rx.

Lexus Rx Number Plates

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

Lexus Rx MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

94.8%
2022
95.6%
2021
95.2%
2020
94.6%
2019
94.7%
2018
93.7%
2017
93.1%
2016
90.4%
2015
89.4%
2014
88.5%
2013
84.7%
2012
82.3%
2011
84.9%
2010
89.4%
2009
70.3%
2007

Lexus Rx Common Faults & Problems

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

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 905
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 148
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 136

Lexus Rx Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
4,288 mi/yr
Typical
6,670 mi/yr
Average
7,715 mi/yr
Heavy usage
9,747 mi/yr

Lexus Rx MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2022 3,375 94.8% 18,172 25,145 34,168
2021 4,206 95.6% 20,074 27,628 37,035
2020 6,083 95.2% 20,534 29,759 41,137
2019 10,768 94.6% 22,388 32,395 46,001
2018 10,524 94.7% 24,366 35,852 51,114
2017 13,954 93.7% 27,854 40,442 57,321
2016 18,189 93.1% 30,094 44,736 63,890
2015 11,968 90.4% 34,572 50,389 71,453
2014 17,067 89.4% 37,590 56,184 79,092
2013 2,784 88.5% 40,253 60,310 85,992
2012 118 84.7% 51,941 85,028 114,687
2011 62 82.3% 33,482 72,614 101,514
2010 53 84.9% 56,654 78,745 97,655
2009 66 89.4% 66,227 89,355 122,708
2007 64 70.3% 110,490 136,222 168,440

How Long Does a Lexus Rx Last?

Based on 18,637 Lexus Rx vehicles on UK roads.

Average
6.3 years
Median
6.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
13 years

Lexus Rx Mileage Distribution

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

Median
41,212 mi
75th Percentile
61,248 mi
95th Percentile
100,472 mi
Max Recorded
716,570 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Lexus Rx

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

Best year
2021

95.6% MOT pass rate from 4,206 tests

Year to avoid
2007

70.3% MOT pass rate from 64 tests

The best year to buy a used Lexus Rx is 2021, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 95.6% across 4,206 tests. The 2007 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Lexus Rx Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Lexus Rx THIS CAR 92.6% 100,234 41,212 mi 13 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
Lotus Elise 81.8% 150,954 38,576 mi 30 yrs

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

Found a Lexus Rx 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 Rx

Should you buy a used Lexus Rx?

The Lexus Rx has an overall MOT pass rate of 92.6% across 100,234 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

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 Rx 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 Rx owner drives around 6,670 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 Rx models stay on UK roads for around 13 years. 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 Rx — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Lexus Rx reliable?
Based on 100,234 MOT tests, the Lexus Rx has a 92.6% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Lexus Rx?
The most common failure point is general wear and tear.
How many miles does a Lexus Rx do per year?
The typical Lexus Rx does around 6,670 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Lexus Rx last?
Most Lexus Rx models stay on UK roads for around 13 years based on our analysis of 18,637 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Lexus Rx?
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 Rx?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Lexus Rx is 2021 with a 95.6% pass rate across 4,206 tests.