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Lexus RX300 SE Auto Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Lexus RX300 SE Auto car check

Is the Lexus RX300 SE Auto reliable? We analysed 3,652 real MOT tests across 449 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 3,652 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
79.5%
Typical Mileage
88,147mi
Annual Mileage
7,016mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
26yrs

The Lexus RX300 SE Auto 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 windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lexus RX300 SE Auto.

Lexus RX300 SE Auto Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Lexus RX300 SE Auto. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Lexus RX300 SE Auto MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Lexus RX300 SE Auto to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

85.9%
2006
82.5%
2005
81.7%
2004
80.6%
2003
79.6%
2002
80.9%
2001
80.7%
2000

Lexus RX300 SE Auto Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Lexus RX300 SE Auto fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 122
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 95
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 47
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 39
position lamp(s) not working 35
parking brake recording little or no effort 33
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 31
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 19
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel 19
brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened 19

Lexus RX300 SE Auto Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Lexus RX300 SE Auto owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
4,247 mi/yr
Typical
7,016 mi/yr
Average
8,135 mi/yr
Heavy usage
10,559 mi/yr

Lexus RX300 SE Auto MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lexus RX300 SE Auto year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2006 71 85.9% 31,980 67,277 105,830
2005 217 82.5% 41,121 70,890 98,475
2004 634 81.7% 59,296 89,765 120,535
2003 653 80.6% 50,041 76,010 103,925
2002 726 79.6% 59,863 82,422 110,666
2001 649 80.9% 59,963 84,580 113,916
2000 181 80.7% 68,813 95,418 125,311

How Long Does a Lexus RX300 SE Auto Last?

Based on 449 Lexus RX300 SE Auto vehicles on UK roads.

Average
10.2 years
Median
8.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
26 years

Lexus RX300 SE Auto Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Lexus RX300 SE Auto MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
88,147 mi
75th Percentile
120,585 mi
95th Percentile
167,485 mi
Max Recorded
666,668 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Lexus RX300 SE Auto

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

Best year
2006

85.9% MOT pass rate from 71 tests

Year to avoid
2002

79.6% MOT pass rate from 726 tests

The best year to buy a used Lexus RX300 SE Auto is 2006, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.9% across 71 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Lexus RX300 SE Auto Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Lexus RX300 SE Auto THIS CAR 79.5% 3,652 88,147 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 RX300 79% 229,652 83,424 mi 26 yrs
Piaggio PX200 86.9% 5,256 11,814 mi 33 yrs

Compared to the Lexus IS200 (75.4% pass rate) and the Lexus Ct (86.8% pass rate), the Lexus RX300 SE Auto sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Lexus RX300 SE Auto?

The Lexus RX300 SE Auto has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.5% across 3,652 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 SE Auto are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (122 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (95), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (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.

A typical Lexus RX300 SE Auto owner drives around 7,016 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 SE Auto 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.

Lexus RX300 SE Auto — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Lexus RX300 SE Auto reliable?
Based on 3,652 MOT tests, the Lexus RX300 SE Auto has a 79.5% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Lexus RX300 SE Auto?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Lexus RX300 SE Auto do per year?
The typical Lexus RX300 SE Auto does around 7,016 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Lexus RX300 SE Auto last?
Most Lexus RX300 SE Auto models stay on UK roads for around 26 years based on our analysis of 449 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Lexus RX300 SE Auto?
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 RX300 SE Auto?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Lexus RX300 SE Auto is 2006 with a 85.9% pass rate across 71 tests.