Lexus Gs300 MOT Failures
An analysis of 29,081 real DVSA MOT tests on the Lexus Gs300 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: S147 (1993–2005), S190 (2005–2012).
Where the Lexus Gs300 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Lexus Gs300 is abs fault — this model is 17 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 29,081 MOT tests, 2.21% of all Lexus Gs300 tests recorded this as a failure.
Brake failures on the MOT range from worn pads and discs (routine maintenance) to corroded brake lines and seized calipers (more serious). Check for any pulling under braking and listen for grinding.
Other notable weak points include headlight fault (17x the fleet average), front or rear fog lamp emitted colour, position... (28x the fleet average), structural corrosion (15x the fleet average), and suspension pin, bush or joint worn (9.5x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Lexus Gs300'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 4 categories: Brakes, Lights & Electrics, Bodywork, Suspension. If you're inspecting a Lexus Gs300 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 Gs300'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 Gs300 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension pin, bush or joint worn (9.5x the average) and suspension component damaged or corroded (5.8x). significant brake effort recorded with no brake... (5.1x) and significant brake effort recorded with no brake... 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 Gs300 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (17x the average) and headlight fault (8.0x). significant brake effort recorded with no brake... (6.8x) and structural corrosion (5.9x) 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 Gs300 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are front or rear fog lamp emitted colour, position... (25x the average) and structural corrosion (15x). body panel damage (15x) and exhaust system damage (14x) also appear frequently.
The shift from suspension pin, bush or joint worn at lower mileages to front or rear fog lamp emitted colour, position... 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 Gs300 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Subframe mounting point corrosion Dangerous
The rear subframe mounting points on both S147 and S190 generations suffer from corrosion that weakens the load-bearing structure. Affects S147, S190; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,500.
Suspension component corrosion Major
Suspension arms, links and brackets on the GS300 are prone to corrosion that can weaken the components structurally. Affects S147, S190; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£800.
Suspension bush wear Major
The rubber bushes in the suspension arms and anti-roll bar links deteriorate prematurely on the GS300. Affects S147, S190; typical independent garage repair cost is £250–£500.
Electronic Stability Control system malfunction Major
The Electronic Stability Control system on S190 generation GS300s develops faults that trigger the malfunction indicator lamp. Affects S190; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£800.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Lexus Gs300 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Lexus Gs300
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Lexus Gs300:
Brakes — check for abs fault, significant brake effort recorded with no brake.... Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault, front or rear fog lamp emitted colour, position.... Bodywork — check for structural corrosion.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about subframe mounting point corrosion and suspension component corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £800. 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 Gs300?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Lexus Gs300 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Lexus Gs300?
Based on 29,081 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is abs fault — at 17x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include headlight fault and front or rear fog lamp emitted colour, position....
Is the Lexus Gs300 reliable based on MOT data?
The Lexus Gs300 has 13 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag subframe mounting point corrosion 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 Gs300 most commonly fails on front or rear fog lamp emitted colour, position... and structural corrosion. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are suspension pin, bush or joint worn and suspension component damaged or corroded.
How do I check a Lexus Gs300'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.