2009 Lexus Gs300 — MOT failures & pass rate
594 MOT tests on the 2009 Lexus Gs300 are in this dataset, and 84.2% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 25.4% of the time, so this is 9.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.6%) and tyres (5.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, shock absorbers and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 20 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.2% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 22.7% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 23.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 13.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.6% | 39 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.4% | 32 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.9% | 29 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.9% | 23 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.7% | 16 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.7% | 16 |
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 | 20 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 19 |
| 3 | Wipers | 18 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 18 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 15 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 14 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 23.7% | 141 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.1% | 137 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.4% | 127 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 6.9% | 41 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.4% | 38 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.2% | 37 |
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 | 105 | 15.2% |
| 60-90k | 213 | 13.6% |
| 90-120k | 149 | 18.1% |
| 120-150k | 61 | 16.4% |
| 150k+ | 44 | 22.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 124 | 13.7% |
| 2022 | 125 | 14.4% |
| 2023 | 121 | 14.9% |
| 2024 | 123 | 18.7% |
| 2025 | 101 | 17.8% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Gs300
On a 2009 Gs300, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.4% 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.
- Brakes (4.9% 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.
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 2009 Lexus Gs300s pass their MOT?
84.2% of the 594 2009 Lexus Gs300 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Lexus Gs300?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.6% of tests, followed by tyres (5.4%).
Does the 2009 Gs300 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.2% in the 30-60k band to 22.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 594 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.