2003 Lexus Gs300 — MOT failures & pass rate
884 MOT tests on the 2003 Lexus Gs300 are in this dataset, and 80.9% of them passed. That is 8.5 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.2%) and suspension (8.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and ball joint — headlamp alone was recorded 62 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 12.2% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 18.8% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 35.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 19.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.2% | 99 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.4% | 74 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.8% | 69 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.2% | 46 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.1% | 36 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.6% | 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 | 62 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 53 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 35 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 30 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 21 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 20 |
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 | 35.1% | 310 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.4% | 225 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.2% | 214 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 151 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.5% | 137 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 87 |
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 | 12.2% |
| 60-90k | 193 | 15.0% |
| 90-120k | 306 | 23.9% |
| 120-150k | 169 | 17.8% |
| 150k+ | 154 | 18.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 223 | 19.7% |
| 2022 | 185 | 14.6% |
| 2023 | 179 | 19.6% |
| 2024 | 157 | 21.0% |
| 2025 | 140 | 21.4% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Gs300
On a 2003 Gs300, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.4% 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 (7.8% 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 2003 Lexus Gs300s pass their MOT?
80.9% of the 884 2003 Lexus Gs300 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Lexus Gs300?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.2% of tests, followed by suspension (8.4%).
Does the 2003 Gs300 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.2% in the 30-60k band to 18.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 884 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.