Lexus Ct MOT Failures
An analysis of 197,297 real DVSA MOT tests on the Lexus Ct — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: CT200h_Gen1 (2011–2017).
Where the Lexus Ct fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Lexus Ct is excessive wear or play in a universal joint or ... — this model is 7.8 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it worth watching for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 197,297 MOT tests, 0.14% of all Lexus Ct tests recorded this as a failure.
Steering faults include worn track rod ends, power steering leaks, and rack wear. These are safety-critical — any play in the steering should be investigated immediately.
Other notable weak points include fire risk due to fuel tank shield or exhaust sh... (21x the fleet average), exhaust system damage (16x the fleet average), fuel pipe or hose damaged (18x the fleet average), and service brake pedal has insufficient reserve tr... (6.2x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Lexus Ct's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Steering, Bodywork, Brakes, Lights & Electrics, Tyres. If you're inspecting a Lexus Ct before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Lexus Ct's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Lexus Ct specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are fire risk due to fuel tank shield or exhaust sh... (21x the average) and exhaust system damage (16x). excessive wear or play in a universal joint or ... (6.2x) and service brake pedal has insufficient reserve tr... (6.2x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Lexus Ct specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are fire risk due to fuel tank shield or exhaust sh... (17x the average) and exhaust system damage (11x). excessive wear or play in a universal joint or ... (7.4x) and excessive wear or play in a universal joint or ... also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Lexus Ct specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are fuel pipe or hose damaged (18x the average) and excessive wear or play in a universal joint or ... (5.5x). tyre seriously damaged (5.0x) and tyre seriously damaged also appear frequently.
The shift from fire risk due to fuel tank shield or exhaust sh... at lower mileages to fuel pipe or hose damaged at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Lexus Ct specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Exhaust heat shield missing or damaged Dangerous
The exhaust and fuel tank heat shields on CT200h models are prone to detachment due to mounting tab corrosion and thermal cycling. Affects CT200h_Gen1; typical independent garage repair cost is £50–£100.
CV joint wear in driveshafts Major
The front driveshaft CV joints on CT200h models show accelerated wear compared to conventional vehicles due to the hybrid system's torque delivery characteristics and frequent start-stop cycles. Affects CT200h_Gen1; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£350.
Brake pedal travel excessive requiring adjustment Major
The CT200h's hybrid braking system combines conventional hydraulic brakes with regenerative braking from the electric motor. Affects CT200h_Gen1; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£300.
Hybrid battery cooling fan failure Major
The hybrid battery pack in the CT200h requires active cooling to maintain optimal temperature for performance and longevity. Affects CT200h_Gen1; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£300.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Lexus Ct common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Lexus Ct
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Lexus Ct:
Steering — check for excessive wear or play in a universal joint or .... Bodywork — check for fire risk due to fuel tank shield or exhaust sh..., exhaust system damage, fuel pipe or hose damaged.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about exhaust heat shield missing or damaged and cv joint wear in driveshafts. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £50. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Lexus Ct?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Lexus Ct MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Lexus Ct?
Based on 197,297 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is excessive wear or play in a universal joint or ... — at 8x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include fire risk due to fuel tank shield or exhaust sh... and exhaust system damage.
Is the Lexus Ct reliable based on MOT data?
The Lexus Ct has 7 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag exhaust heat shield missing or damaged as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Lexus Ct most commonly fails on fuel pipe or hose damaged and excessive wear or play in a universal joint or .... Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are fire risk due to fuel tank shield or exhaust sh... and exhaust system damage.
How do I check a Lexus Ct's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.