Lexus Is MOT Failures
An analysis of 43,337 real DVSA MOT tests on the Lexus Is — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the Lexus Is fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Lexus Is is headlight fault — this model is 47 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 43,337 MOT tests, 0.81% of all Lexus Is tests recorded this as a failure.
Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.
The failures span 2 categories: Lights & Electrics, Tyres. If you're inspecting a Lexus Is 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 Is'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.
The standout failure at this mileage is headlight fault at 47x the fleet average.
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 Is specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are headlight fault (8.3x the average) and tyre wear or damage (6.0x).
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.
The standout failure at this mileage is tyre wear or damage at 14x the fleet average.
The shift from headlight fault at lower mileages to tyre wear or damage 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.
What to check before buying a Lexus Is
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Lexus Is:
Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault. Tyres — check for tyre wear or damage.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Lexus Is?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Lexus Is MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Lexus Is?
Based on 43,337 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is headlight fault — at 47x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include tyre wear or damage.
Is the Lexus Is reliable based on MOT data?
The Lexus Is has 2 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is headlight fault. Always check a specific car's full history before buying.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
The most common high-mileage failures include headlight fault, tyre wear or damage.
How do I check a Lexus Is'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.