1997 Lexus Gs300 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 456 MOT tests analysed for the 1997 Lexus Gs300, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 82.2% was above the average for cars of a similar age (76.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 24.8% in the 150k+ group versus 14.6% in the 60-90k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 8.3% | 38 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.7% | 35 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 7.2% | 33 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.2% | 19 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 18 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.7% | 17 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 23 |
| 2 | Wipers | 21 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 19 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 16 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 15 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 12 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 35.5% | 162 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.4% | 134 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 25.4% | 116 |
| 4 | Tyres | 23.3% | 106 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.9% | 100 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.1% | 46 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 82 | 14.6% |
| 90-120k | 83 | 19.3% |
| 120-150k | 130 | 13.1% |
| 150k+ | 141 | 24.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 123 | 21.1% |
| 2022 | 109 | 16.5% |
| 2023 | 89 | 15.7% |
| 2024 | 64 | 14.1% |
| 2025 | 71 | 19.7% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Gs300
Before buying a 1997 Lexus Gs300, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 8.3% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (8.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (7.7% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (7.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1997 Lexus Gs300s pass their MOT?
82.2% of the 456 1997 Lexus Gs300 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Lexus Gs300?
Suspension, recorded in 8.3% of tests, followed by brakes (7.7%).
Does the 1997 Gs300 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.6% in the 60-90k band to 24.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 456 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.