Lexus
1,445 MOT tests analysed. sits above the UK fleet average — here's where LSs pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 7.6 points above the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — a confident result.
Pass
85.1%
Pass-after-fix
4.0%
Fail
9.4%
Avg miles
81,904
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Petrol cars first registered from January 2006 meet Euro 4 — compliant in London ULEZ, Birmingham CAZ, Bristol CAZ, and Glasgow LEZ.
Performance by cohort
2 year bands · 1,397 tests
Pass rate is broadly flat across the cohorts — new and old LS examples track each other at the test bay.
Pass
84.9%
Fail
11.4%
PRS
1.8%
Avg mileage at test
95,072 mi
Pass
84.9%
Fail
0.8%
PRS
14.3%
Avg mileage at test
32,137 mi
Cohort = vehicle's first-registration year band. Same model, different generations of build.
The picture
Across 608 MOT tests, the Ls returns 84.4% first-time pass — above the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is worn suspension bushes. A torn suspension dust cover and windscreen damage round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 85,793, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
A high-group car — insurance costs will be significantly above average. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
40–50
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Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
61 occurrences · 4.2% of tests
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
46 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
28 occurrences · 1.9% of tests
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
25 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
20 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
18 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
A tyre cords visible or damaged
17 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
10 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
9 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
8 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 4 failures
£190–£605
If every one of this LS's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
Try the calculator
Build your own retest budget.
Year-band analysis
First-time MOT pass rate split by registration band. Pass rates barely move across bands here, so the year you buy Lexus LS makes little measurable difference to MOT outcomes.
Best band to buy
84.9%
Pre-2018 registration
the older band (pre-2018) climbs to 84.9% — a 0.0-point improvement. Failures here are mostly wear items: ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated, damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view — the structural issues that drag down older examples don't appear in the top-10 for this band.
Band to be cautious about
84.9%
2018–2020 registration
On the 2018–2020 band, the data shows a 84.9% pass rate against a fleet average of 84.9% on the newer band. The main culprits logged at test: damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view, does not clear the windscreen effectively, and blade defective. Average mileage on test for this band is 32,137 miles — high-mileage wear items are a recurring theme.
Best band to buy: pre-2018 (84.9% first-time pass). Worst band to avoid: 2018-2020 (84.9% pass). That's a 0.0-point spread across 258 older tests and 1,139 newer ones — year of build makes a material difference on this model.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
Bosch Aerotwin wiper blades
Cheap wipers fail the test on smear streaks. Bosch Aerotwins last a winter and clear a screen properly.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
Headlight restoration kit
Yellowed lenses fail the light-output test. A restoration kit lifts the haze in an afternoon for £20.
Search Amazon UK
My Motor World · affiliate
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Motor World
Motor World Lexus IS200 Car Floor Mat Set
£32.99
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Motor World Lexus IS300 2005- Car Floor Mat Set
£32.99
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Motor World Lexus IS250/220 Man/Auto 2006- Car Floor Mat Set
£32.99
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Motor World Lexus GS450H Saloon 2005- Car Floor Mat Set
£32.99
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Click Mechanic · affiliate
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Mobile mechanic · UK-wide
Book a mechanic at your door.
Fixed-price quotes upfront. No garage needed. Click Mechanic sends a vetted local mechanic to you — home, work, or roadside.
Recall history
The LS has 1 official UK vehicle recall covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own an LS and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.
