Lexus RX300 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Lexus RX300 car check
Is the Lexus RX300 reliable? We analysed 229,652 real MOT tests across 14,830 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Lexus RX300? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Lexus RX300 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lexus RX300.
Lexus RX300 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Lexus RX300. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Lexus RX300 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Lexus RX300 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Lexus RX300 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Lexus RX300 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Lexus RX300 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Lexus RX300 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Lexus RX300 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lexus RX300 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 163 | 75.5% | 58,416 | 92,382 | 119,269 |
| 2006 | 10,841 | 81.3% | 48,064 | 74,652 | 105,454 |
| 2005 | 46,197 | 80.1% | 51,539 | 79,864 | 110,262 |
| 2004 | 71,178 | 79.7% | 54,215 | 81,835 | 110,936 |
| 2003 | 43,848 | 79.7% | 54,722 | 81,529 | 110,496 |
| 2002 | 25,476 | 77.1% | 61,733 | 88,148 | 116,212 |
| 2001 | 24,652 | 76.6% | 67,724 | 91,848 | 118,764 |
| 2000 | 5,940 | 74.6% | 69,446 | 93,973 | 123,094 |
| 1999 | 619 | 72.1% | 67,384 | 89,451 | 118,548 |
| 1998 | 391 | 69.1% | 72,250 | 101,756 | 129,256 |
How Long Does a Lexus RX300 Last?
Based on 14,830 Lexus RX300 vehicles on UK roads.
Lexus RX300 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Lexus RX300 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 RX300
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
81.3% MOT pass rate from 10,841 tests
69.1% MOT pass rate from 391 tests
The best year to buy a used Lexus RX300 is 2006, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 81.3% across 10,841 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Lexus RX300 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus RX300 THIS CAR | 79.0% | 229,652 | 83,424 mi | 26 yrs |
| Lexus IS200 | 75.4% | 546,826 | 87,139 mi | 27 yrs |
| Lexus Ct | 86.8% | 304,916 | 55,351 mi | 15 yrs |
| Lexus IS250 | 83.3% | 212,901 | 66,683 mi | 21 yrs |
| Ford Sierra | 69.3% | 235,897 | 50,133 mi | 43 yrs |
Compared to the Lexus IS200 (75.4% pass rate) and the Lexus Ct (86.8% pass rate), the Lexus RX300 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Lexus RX300 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 RX300Should you buy a used Lexus RX300?
The Lexus RX300 has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.0% across 229,652 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 RX300 are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (6,310 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5,344), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3,727). 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 RX300 owner drives around 6,422 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 RX300 models stay on UK roads for around 26 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.