1998 Lexus Gs300 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 959 MOT tests, the 1998 Lexus Gs300 recorded an 80.0% pass rate. That is 5.7 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 25.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.9%) and suspension (9.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and ball joint — headlamp aim alone was recorded 46 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.1% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 22.4% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.9% in 2021 to 20.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.9% | 114 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.6% | 92 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.1% | 87 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.1% | 39 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.3% | 32 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.2% | 31 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 46 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 43 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 42 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 32 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 30 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 30 |
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 | 33.2% | 318 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.3% | 243 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 24.4% | 234 |
| 4 | Brakes | 20.9% | 200 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.6% | 159 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 143 |
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 | 146 | 15.1% |
| 90-120k | 249 | 20.1% |
| 120-150k | 260 | 20.4% |
| 150k+ | 263 | 22.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 293 | 23.9% |
| 2022 | 227 | 20.3% |
| 2023 | 170 | 17.1% |
| 2024 | 153 | 15.0% |
| 2025 | 116 | 20.7% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Gs300
On a 1998 Gs300, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.6% 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 (9.1% 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.
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 1998 Lexus Gs300s pass their MOT?
80.0% of the 959 1998 Lexus Gs300 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Lexus Gs300?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.9% of tests, followed by suspension (9.6%).
Does the 1998 Gs300 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.1% in the 60-90k band to 22.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 959 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.