2004 Lexus Gs300 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 Lexus Gs300 passed 80.6% of its 489 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2004 Gs300 comes out 8.3pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.2%) and suspension (10.0%) 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 malfunction indicator lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 26 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.5% in the 60-90k band and 18.9% in the 150k+ band, a 4.6-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 37.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 22.2% in 2021 to 18.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.2% | 50 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.0% | 49 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.6% | 42 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.5% | 22 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.1% | 20 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.9% | 19 |
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 | 26 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 21 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 19 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 17 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 15 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 13 |
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 | 37.4% | 183 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.8% | 126 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.5% | 115 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.9% | 63 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.3% | 60 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.0% | 54 |
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 | 68 | 23.5% |
| 90-120k | 186 | 18.3% |
| 120-150k | 115 | 22.6% |
| 150k+ | 95 | 18.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 126 | 22.2% |
| 2022 | 106 | 19.8% |
| 2023 | 98 | 14.3% |
| 2024 | 84 | 21.4% |
| 2025 | 75 | 18.7% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Gs300
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.0% 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.
- Brakes (8.6% 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 2004 Lexus Gs300s pass their MOT?
80.6% of the 489 2004 Lexus Gs300 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Lexus Gs300?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.2% of tests, followed by suspension (10.0%).
Does the 2004 Gs300 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.5% in the 60-90k band to 18.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 489 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.