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Lexus RX450H Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Lexus RX450H car check

Is the Lexus RX450H reliable? We analysed 114,223 real MOT tests across 8,014 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 114,223 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
83.9%
Typical Mileage
77,489mi
Annual Mileage
6,746mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
20yrs

The Lexus RX450H is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber has a serious fluid leak, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Lexus RX450H.

Lexus RX450H Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Lexus RX450H. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Lexus RX450H MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Lexus RX450H to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

88.5%
2019
92.3%
2018
92.9%
2017
96%
2016
90.6%
2015
87%
2014
89.3%
2013
86.8%
2012
83.9%
2011
84.1%
2010
83.1%
2009
81.7%
2008
81.1%
2007
80.9%
2006
77.6%
2005

Lexus RX450H Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Lexus RX450H fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak 999
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 759
Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 585
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 527
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 497
position lamp(s) not working 462

Lexus RX450H Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Lexus RX450H models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1,074

Lexus RX450H Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Lexus RX450H owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
4,296 mi/yr
Typical
6,746 mi/yr
Average
7,780 mi/yr
Heavy usage
9,959 mi/yr

Lexus RX450H MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Lexus RX450H year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2019 61 88.5% 28,022 41,261 59,831
2018 65 92.3% 30,108 43,668 63,952
2017 84 92.9% 33,259 48,366 68,325
2016 224 96.0% 29,367 45,794 73,714
2015 171 90.6% 39,088 54,947 73,628
2014 247 87.0% 37,500 53,498 69,689
2013 561 89.3% 44,143 59,999 81,506
2012 14,378 86.8% 44,048 66,793 92,249
2011 25,124 83.9% 47,843 73,484 102,884
2010 39,882 84.1% 51,402 78,322 108,816
2009 20,206 83.1% 53,540 82,388 115,030
2008 3,806 81.7% 59,754 92,910 128,317
2007 3,847 81.1% 61,344 95,177 130,494
2006 3,200 80.9% 61,591 95,886 132,817
2005 1,912 77.6% 62,394 99,478 138,496

How Long Does a Lexus RX450H Last?

Based on 8,014 Lexus RX450H vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.6 years
Median
14.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
20 years

Lexus RX450H Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Lexus RX450H MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
77,489 mi
75th Percentile
109,095 mi
95th Percentile
159,802 mi
Max Recorded
987,651 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Lexus RX450H

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

Best year
2016

96.0% MOT pass rate from 224 tests

Year to avoid
2005

77.6% MOT pass rate from 1,912 tests

The best year to buy a used Lexus RX450H is 2016, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 96.0% across 224 tests. The 2005 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Lexus RX450H Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Lexus RX450H THIS CAR 83.9% 114,223 77,489 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 Gle 89.3% 182,344 44,124 mi 11 yrs

Compared to the Lexus IS200 (75.4% pass rate) and the Lexus Ct (86.8% pass rate), the Lexus RX450H sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Lexus RX450H?

The Lexus RX450H has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.9% across 114,223 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 RX450H are shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (999 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (759), and tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (585). 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 RX450H 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 RX450H owner drives around 6,746 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 RX450H 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 RX450H — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Lexus RX450H reliable?
Based on 114,223 MOT tests, the Lexus RX450H has a 83.9% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Lexus RX450H?
The most common MOT failures are shock absorber has a serious fluid leak, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Lexus RX450H do per year?
The typical Lexus RX450H does around 6,746 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Lexus RX450H last?
Most Lexus RX450H models stay on UK roads for around 20 years based on our analysis of 8,014 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Lexus RX450H?
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 RX450H?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Lexus RX450H is 2016 with a 96.0% pass rate across 224 tests.