2002 Lexus Gs300 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 923 MOT tests, the 2002 Lexus Gs300 recorded an 80.1% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.5% of the time, so this is 7.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.8%) and suspension (9.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, headlamp and headlamp aim — ball joint alone was recorded 51 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2002 Gs300 fails 22.4% of the time in the 30-60k band and 24.2% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.8 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 20.8% in 2021 to 18.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 109 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.2% | 85 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.1% | 84 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.2% | 57 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.8% | 44 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.7% | 34 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 51 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 50 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 47 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 43 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 34 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 33 |
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 | 34.3% | 317 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.3% | 224 |
| 3 | Brakes | 21.8% | 201 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 159 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.6% | 135 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.6% | 116 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 49 | 22.4% |
| 60-90k | 113 | 13.3% |
| 90-120k | 224 | 14.3% |
| 120-150k | 304 | 23.0% |
| 150k+ | 227 | 24.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 255 | 20.8% |
| 2022 | 207 | 17.9% |
| 2023 | 191 | 20.4% |
| 2024 | 152 | 21.7% |
| 2025 | 118 | 18.6% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Gs300
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.2% 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 2002 Lexus Gs300s pass their MOT?
80.1% of the 923 2002 Lexus Gs300 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Lexus Gs300?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.8% of tests, followed by suspension (9.2%).
Does the 2002 Gs300 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.4% in the 30-60k band to 24.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 923 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.