Lexus Is300 MOT Failures
An analysis of 6,173 real DVSA MOT tests on the Lexus Is300 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: XE10 (1999–2005).
Where the Lexus Is300 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Lexus Is300 is subframe bushes or mounts worn — this model is 8.1 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 6,173 MOT tests, 3.83% of all Lexus Is300 tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include suspension pin, bush or joint worn (13x the fleet average), power steering fault (7.4x the fleet average), suspension component damaged or corroded (6.9x the fleet average), and headlight fault (6.6x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Lexus Is300'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: Suspension, Steering, Lights & Electrics, Tyres, Bodywork. If you're inspecting a Lexus Is300 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 Is300'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.
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 Is300 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension pin, bush or joint worn (13x the average) and suspension component damaged or corroded (6.9x). headlight fault (6.6x) and tyre seriously damaged (6.0x) 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 Is300 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension pin, bush or joint worn (7.7x the average) and power steering fault (7.4x). subframe bushes or mounts worn (7.3x) and structural corrosion (6.0x) also appear frequently.
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 Is300 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Subframe mounting point corrosion (XE10) Dangerous
The rear subframe mounting points on XE10 IS300 models are vulnerable to corrosion where the subframe bolts attach to the body shell. Affects XE10; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,500.
Suspension component corrosion (XE10) Major
XE10 IS300 models show elevated MOT failure rates for suspension component corrosion, particularly affecting the rear suspension arms and subframe components. Affects XE10; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£800.
Body shell structural corrosion (XE10) Major
XE10 IS300 models show significantly higher rates of structural body corrosion that reduces the rigidity of the vehicle assembly. Affects XE10; typical independent garage repair cost is £500–£2,000.
Brake caliper binding (XE10) Major
XE10 IS300 models show elevated MOT failure rates for binding brakes, with failure rates 2.3 times higher than the fleet average. Affects XE10; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£300.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Lexus Is300 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Lexus Is300
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Lexus Is300:
Suspension — check for subframe bushes or mounts worn, suspension pin, bush or joint worn, suspension component damaged or corroded, abs fault. Steering — check for power steering fault.
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 Is300?
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Lexus Is300 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Lexus Is300?
Based on 6,173 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is subframe bushes or mounts worn — at 8x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include suspension pin, bush or joint worn and power steering fault.
Is the Lexus Is300 reliable based on MOT data?
The Lexus Is300 has 9 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 Is300 most commonly fails on suspension pin, bush or joint worn and power steering fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are .
How do I check a Lexus Is300'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.