EV ZoneLexus
Reliability
Lexus has an 83.9% MOT pass rate across 152,001 tests, making it one of the most reliable brands on UK roads.
83.9% MOT pass rate based on 152,000 tests.
Common faults and reliability ranked across 8 Lexus models.
Full vehicle history checks for £9.99 with no subscription.
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- ✓Outstanding finance check
- ✓Stolen marker check
- ✓Write-off and salvage history
- ✓Full MOT history and mileage
- ✓Safety recall check
- ✓Vehicle valuation
Are Lexus cars reliable?
Lexus vs other premium brands
Lexus sits second only to Porsche at 83.9%, well above the 72.4% national average. Toyota's luxury arm has built its reputation on dependability and the MOT data reflects that.
Across 152,001 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 95.1% vs 88.5% nationally. By age 10 the gap widens: Lexus 85.5% vs 71.9% national. Even at 20 years old, Lexus still passes at 67.6% vs 57.6% 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 91%, well above their contemporaries.
What are the most common Lexus faults?
Top 10 MOT failure categories for Lexus, ranked by frequency. 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.
- Ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (7.83% of Lexus failures)
The rubber boot protecting a suspension ball joint has cracked or split, letting dirt into the joint. Common on older cars.
- Damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (5.41% of Lexus failures)
Windscreen damage such as a chip or crack that has not yet spread into the driver's line of sight. Commonly caused by road debris.
- Not working (4.66% of Lexus failures)
A lamp, indicator, or electrical component that has completely stopped functioning. Usually a blown bulb or faulty sensor.
- Lens slightly defective (4.14% of Lexus failures)
- Blade defective (3.98% of Lexus failures)
The top fault is lamps and electrical at 23.91%, roughly in line with the 24.6% national average. Suspension follows at 20.07%, also close to national. Brakes at 13.5% and body issues are near or below national averages. Visibility (15.47% vs 11.71% national) and tyres (15.04% vs 10.6% national) are both above the national average, which 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 72.4%. Red bars sit below it.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus Ct | 27,175 | 82.8% | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment |
| Lexus Nx | 25,420 | 89.6% | Suspension |
| Lexus Rx | 14,499 | 92.1% | Visibility |
| Lexus Ux | 12,805 | 93.8% | Visibility |
| Lexus Is | 11,488 | 87.0% | Tyres |
| Lexus Is250 | 8,084 | 73.6% | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment |
| Lexus Rx450h | 6,119 | 75.0% | Suspension |
| Lexus Rx400h | 6,076 | 69.2% | Suspension |
The UX has the highest pass rate at 93.79% (12,805 tests). The RX follows at 92.14% (14,499 tests). The NX sits at 89.59% (25,420 tests) and the IS at 87.00% (11,488 tests). The CT is the weakest at 82.75% (27,175 tests) but still comfortably above the national average. Every Lexus model in the range passes at over 80%, which is unusual across UK brands. The CT as Lexus's oldest and 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 24,797 miles vs 28,175 national. From age 9 onwards, the pattern reverses. By age 15, Lexus averages 113,141 miles vs 104,473 national, and by age 20 the gap holds at 122,199 miles vs 110,988. 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 results, 2025 test year (published June 2026). Class 3 and 4 vehicles with 5,000+ tests per model. Published under Open Government Licence v3.0.