2001 Lexus Gs300 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 851 MOT tests analysed for the 2001 Lexus Gs300, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 80.4% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 25.6% in the 150k+ group versus 13.4% in the 60-90k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 112 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.3% | 79 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.0% | 77 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.6% | 39 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.1% | 35 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.8% | 32 |
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 | 55 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 47 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 45 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 28 |
| 5 | Wipers | 28 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 27 |
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 | 36.5% | 311 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.4% | 216 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.0% | 213 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.0% | 162 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.2% | 138 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.9% | 110 |
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 | 202 | 13.4% |
| 90-120k | 225 | 18.7% |
| 120-150k | 210 | 23.3% |
| 150k+ | 180 | 25.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 224 | 18.8% |
| 2022 | 212 | 24.1% |
| 2023 | 171 | 19.3% |
| 2024 | 130 | 17.7% |
| 2025 | 114 | 15.8% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Gs300
Before buying a 2001 Lexus Gs300, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.3% 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.
- Suspension (9.0% 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.
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 2001 Lexus Gs300s pass their MOT?
80.4% of the 851 2001 Lexus Gs300 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Lexus Gs300?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.2% of tests, followed by brakes (9.3%).
Does the 2001 Gs300 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.4% in the 60-90k band to 25.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 851 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.