EV ZoneLexus
Reliability
Lexus has an 83.8% MOT pass rate across 162,835 tests, making it one of the most reliable brands on UK roads.
83.8% MOT pass rate based on 163,000 tests.
Common faults and reliability ranked across 8 Lexus models.
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Are Lexus cars reliable?
Lexus vs other premium brands
Lexus sits second only to Porsche at 83.8%, well above the 71.9% national average. Toyota's luxury arm has built its reputation on dependability and the MOT data reflects that.
Across 162,835 tests in the 2025 test year, Lexus vehicles passed at a rate more than 11 percentage points above the national average. Among premium rivals, only Porsche scores higher.
Reliability data shows part of the picture. A vehicle history check reveals the rest, including outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-offs, and mileage discrepancies.
What is the Lexus MOT pass rate by age?
Pass rate at each vehicle age, from 3 to 20 years old. National average shown for comparison.
Lexus vehicles hold up well as they age. At 3 years old, Lexus passes at 94.1% vs 87.5% nationally. By age 10 the gap widens: Lexus 84.2% vs 69.7% national. Even at 20 years old, Lexus still passes at 66.7% vs 56.9% national, a 10 percentage point advantage.
The gap between Lexus and the national curve widens between ages 6 and 12, when most rival brands typically start to show significant fault build-up. Lexus vehicles from this age band still pass at 81 to 90%, well above their contemporaries.
What are the most common Lexus faults?
Top 10 MOT failure categories for Lexus, ranked by the share of failed tests they were found on. National percentage shown alongside.
Top 5 specific Lexus failure reasons
These are the specific MOT examiner findings most frequently recorded on Lexus vehicles, along with what they mean.
- Not working (found on 14.60% of failed Lexus tests)
A lamp, indicator, or electrical component that has completely stopped functioning. Usually a blown bulb or faulty sensor.
- Does not clear the windscreen effectively (found on 11.66% of failed Lexus tests)
- Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (found on 8.03% of failed Lexus tests)
A deep cut or gash in a tyre's sidewall or tread that exposes the internal structure. Usually means the tyre needs replacing immediately.
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (found on 7.76% of failed Lexus tests)
One or more tyres worn below the legal minimum tread depth. The legal limit is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre.
- Less than 1.5 mm thick (found on 7.67% of failed Lexus tests)
A brake pad measured below the minimum safe thickness of 1.5mm. Immediate replacement required to maintain braking performance.
The top fault is lamps and electrical, found on 35.66% of failed tests, roughly in line with the 38.2% national average. Tyres follow at 29.42%, well above the 22.6% national average. Brakes at 22.1% are near the national average, while suspension (19.95% vs 32.44% national) and body issues are well below it. Visibility (18.22% vs 15.70% national) is also above the national average. The higher tyre and visibility shares may reflect owner focus on the powertrain rather than routine consumables.
Which Lexus models are most reliable?
Top 15 Lexus models ranked by MOT test volume. Pass rate shown for each. Green bars beat the national average of 71.9%. Red bars sit below it.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus Ct | 29,170 | 82.6% | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment |
| Lexus Nx | 27,349 | 89.6% | Tyres |
| Lexus Rx | 15,754 | 92.0% | Tyres |
| Lexus Ux | 13,833 | 93.6% | Tyres |
| Lexus Is | 12,051 | 86.8% | Tyres |
| Lexus Is250 | 8,689 | 73.6% | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment |
| Lexus Rx450h | 6,524 | 74.9% | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment |
| Lexus Rx400h | 6,451 | 68.7% | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment |
The UX has the highest pass rate at 93.63% (13,833 tests). The RX follows at 92.01% (15,754 tests). The NX sits at 89.56% (27,349 tests) and the IS at 86.78% (12,051 tests). Among the main current models, the CT is the weakest at 82.56% (29,170 tests) but still comfortably above the national average. Older versions such as the IS250, RX450H, and RX400H pass at 69% to 75%. The CT as Lexus's highest-volume model pulls the average down slightly while newer models like the UX push it up.
How many miles do Lexus vehicles typically cover?
Average recorded mileage at each MOT test, by vehicle age. National average shown for comparison.
Newer Lexus vehicles typically show slightly lower mileage than the national average. At age 3, Lexus averages 29,457 miles vs 33,693 national. From age 9 onwards, the pattern reverses. By age 15, Lexus averages 114,912 miles vs 103,426 national, and by age 20 Lexus still averages more, at 117,210 miles vs 109,408. This reflects a fleet that is typically bought, kept, and driven for the long term rather than turned over.
Our Premium Vehicle Reports compare the recorded mileage at every MOT test to flag discrepancies. A drop in recorded mileage between two tests is a strong signal that the odometer may have been tampered with.
Are there any Lexus safety recalls?
Safety recalls are issued by Lexus when a manufacturing defect could affect the safety of the vehicle. The DVSA records every UK recall and links it to affected vehicle identification numbers (VINs). Recalls are free for the owner to have fixed at a franchised dealer.
Recall lists change over time as new issues are identified and old ones are resolved. For that reason we do not maintain a static list here. When you check a Lexus via Brumble, the report shows any outstanding manufacturer safety recalls that still need action on that specific vehicle.
How do you check a Lexus's full history?
Before you buy any used Lexus, a full history check protects you from problems that a physical inspection would miss. Here is what a Premium Vehicle Report from Brumble covers.
Has this Lexus been written off?
An insurance write-off means the car has been declared uneconomical to repair after an accident, fire, or flood. The report shows the category (Cat A, B, N, or S), the date, and the cause. Cat A and B are permanently unroadworthy. Cat N and S can legally return to the road but often carry hidden damage and are worth significantly less.
Is there outstanding finance on this Lexus?
If the previous owner has an active HP, PCP, or loan agreement secured against the car, the finance company legally owns it until the balance is paid off. Buying a car with outstanding finance means the finance company can repossess it, even after you have paid the seller in full. The report checks with Experian for any active finance agreements.
Has this Lexus been reported stolen?
The Police National Computer records stolen vehicles. The report checks the PNC for any active stolen marker. Buying a stolen vehicle means the police can seize it and return it to the rightful owner, with no compensation.
Has the mileage been tampered with?
Every MOT test records the current mileage. The report shows the full mileage history from every recorded test and flags any drops or unusually flat periods. A drop between tests is a strong signal the odometer has been clocked. A car worth £15,000 with 60,000 miles on the clock might be worth £10,000 if the true mileage is 120,000.
Has this Lexus been used as a taxi or private hire vehicle?
Ex-taxis and private hire vehicles have typically covered high mileage under harder use than a private car of the same age. Insurers may view them as higher risk, and resale value is significantly lower. The report checks whether the vehicle has ever been registered as a taxi or private hire vehicle.
What is this Lexus worth?
The report includes current trade, retail, and private-sale valuations based on the vehicle's make, model, trim, mileage, and condition. Use it to check whether the asking price is fair before you negotiate.
Check any Lexus's full history for £9.99. No subscription.
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What should you check before buying a used Lexus?
Four practical steps before you hand over any money.
- 1
Check the MOT history
Every UK vehicle has a free MOT test history showing every pass, fail, advisory, and recorded mileage. Use the Brumble MOT checker to see what previous inspections found.
- 2
Check the vehicle's full history
A Premium Vehicle Report covers outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-offs, mileage discrepancies, safety recalls, and valuation. £9.99, no subscription.
- 3
Compare insurance before you commit
Lexus insurance groups vary widely by model and trim. Get a car insurance quote before you buy to avoid nasty surprises after the sale.
- 4
Check the tax status
Confirm the car is currently taxed, or you may not be able to drive it away. The Brumble tax checker shows current tax status and when tax is next due.
Lexus Reliability FAQs
Source: Brumble analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test data, 2025, Great Britain (published June 2026). First MOT test of the year for each class 4 vehicle, with 5,000+ tests per model. Published under Open Government Licence v3.0.