2008 Lexus Gs300 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,009 MOT tests, the 2008 Lexus Gs300 recorded an 85.3% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (26.3% fail rate), the 2008 Gs300 comes out 11.6pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.1%) and brakes (5.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, brake pads and headlamp — shock absorbers alone was recorded 34 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 15.8% versus 6.4%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 23.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.1% | 82 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.9% | 60 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.5% | 45 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.2% | 42 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.1% | 31 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.0% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 34 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 33 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 33 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 30 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 30 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 25 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 23.2% | 234 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.6% | 208 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.2% | 204 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.4% | 85 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.8% | 79 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.5% | 76 |
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 | 109 | 6.4% |
| 60-90k | 357 | 13.7% |
| 90-120k | 278 | 16.6% |
| 120-150k | 179 | 18.4% |
| 150k+ | 76 | 15.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 212 | 14.6% |
| 2022 | 217 | 13.4% |
| 2023 | 207 | 15.5% |
| 2024 | 199 | 15.6% |
| 2025 | 174 | 14.4% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Gs300
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 8.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (8.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.9% 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.
- Tyres (4.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2008 Lexus Gs300s pass their MOT?
85.3% of the 1,009 2008 Lexus Gs300 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Lexus Gs300?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.1% of tests, followed by brakes (5.9%).
Does the 2008 Gs300 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.4% in the 30-60k band to 15.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,009 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.