Lexus
Rx300
6,316 MOT tests analysed. lands in the middle of the pack — here's where Rx300s pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 3.5 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
74.0%
Pass-after-fix
4.3%
Fail
20.7%
Avg miles
121,073
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
This model's production run straddles the January 2006 Euro 4 cutoff. Individual cars vary — check your registration plate on the government's ULEZ checker. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
Rx300: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 5,000 MOT tests, the Rx300 returns 72.4% first-time pass — below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a defective headlamp lens. A torn suspension dust cover and the strength or continuity of the load bearing round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 120,132, 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
Group 20–44
Above average — worth comparing quotes before buying. 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 →
20–44
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
332 occurrences · 5.3% of tests
- 02
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
231 occurrences · 3.7% of tests
- 03
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
207 occurrences · 3.3% of tests
- 04
Obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or loose
194 occurrences · 3.1% of tests
- 05
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
162 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
- 06
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
151 occurrences · 2.4% of tests
- 07
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
140 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
- 08
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
132 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 09
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
131 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 10
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
130 occurrences · 2.1% 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
£178–£620
If every one of this Rx300'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 →
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Build your own retest budget.
Tools that pre-empt a retest.
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
Headlight restoration kit
Yellowed lenses fail the light-output test. A restoration kit lifts the haze in an afternoon for £20.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
Replacement wing mirror glass
A cracked mirror glass on the offside is a fail; nearside is an advisory. £8 of self-adhesive replacement glass clears it.
Search Amazon UK
My Motor World · affiliate
Parts & supplies for this fix
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Motor World
Motor World Lexus IS200 Car Floor Mat Set
£32.99
View at My Motor World →
Motor World
Motor World Lexus IS300 2005- Car Floor Mat Set
£32.99
View at My Motor World →
Motor World
Motor World Lexus IS250/220 Man/Auto 2006- Car Floor Mat Set
£32.99
View at My Motor World →
Motor World
Motor World Lexus GS450H Saloon 2005- Car Floor Mat Set
£32.99
View at My Motor World →
Click Mechanic · affiliate
Book a mobile mechanic
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
1 UK recall on record.
The Rx300 has 1 official UK vehicle recall covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Buying or keeping a Rx300?
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 a Rx300 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.