Toyota Lexus Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Toyota Lexus car check
Is the Toyota Lexus reliable? We analysed 948 real MOT tests across 139 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Toyota Lexus? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Toyota Lexus is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, fog lamp not working and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Toyota Lexus.
Toyota Lexus Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Toyota Lexus. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Toyota Lexus MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Toyota Lexus to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Toyota Lexus Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Toyota Lexus fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Toyota Lexus Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Toyota Lexus owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Toyota Lexus MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Toyota Lexus year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 63 | 81.0% | 71,931 | 113,319 | 140,631 |
| 2001 | 53 | 69.8% | 78,624 | 105,331 | 128,323 |
| 2000 | 109 | 74.3% | 52,222 | 96,832 | 122,314 |
| 1999 | 176 | 71.0% | 82,886 | 111,863 | 152,106 |
| 1998 | 88 | 70.5% | 99,112 | 123,973 | 161,694 |
| 1994 | 62 | 74.2% | 94,946 | 111,602 | 134,606 |
| 1993 | 62 | 61.3% | 79,327 | 118,094 | 133,692 |
| 1991 | 130 | 67.7% | 95,899 | 130,223 | 162,340 |
How Long Does a Toyota Lexus Last?
Based on 139 Toyota Lexus vehicles on UK roads.
Toyota Lexus Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Toyota Lexus 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 Toyota Lexus
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
81.0% MOT pass rate from 63 tests
61.3% MOT pass rate from 62 tests
The best year to buy a used Toyota Lexus is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 81.0% across 63 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Toyota Lexus Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Lexus THIS CAR | 71.5% | 948 | 114,330 mi | 35 yrs |
| Toyota Yaris | 77.7% | 9,038,234 | 54,896 mi | 27 yrs |
| Toyota Corolla | 75.4% | 4,239,724 | 75,409 mi | 36 yrs |
| Toyota Avensis | 75% | 3,497,866 | 89,776 mi | 28 yrs |
| BMW R90S | 90.9% | 1,459 | 37,912 mi | 52 yrs |
Compared to the Toyota Yaris (77.7% pass rate) and the Toyota Corolla (75.4% pass rate), the Toyota Lexus trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Toyota Lexus 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 Toyota LexusShould you buy a used Toyota Lexus?
The Toyota Lexus has an overall MOT pass rate of 71.5% across 948 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Toyota Lexus are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (69 recorded failures), fog lamp not working (38), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (34). 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 Toyota Lexus owner drives around 4,606 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 Toyota Lexus models stay on UK roads for around 35 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.