2009 Lexus Gs450H — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,211 MOT tests, the 2009 Lexus Gs450H recorded an 86.0% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 25.4% of the time, so this is 11.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 8.5% of all tests — 3.6 points clear of tyres, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, shock absorbers and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 61 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2009 Gs450H fails 9.8% of the time in the 30-60k band and 13.1% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.2 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 21.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.5% | 103 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.9% | 59 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.6% | 56 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.5% | 43 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.1% | 25 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 25 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 61 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 53 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 47 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 39 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 25 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 23 |
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 | 21.3% | 258 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.3% | 246 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.6% | 237 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 90 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 6.1% | 74 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.0% | 73 |
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 | 122 | 9.8% |
| 60-90k | 397 | 15.1% |
| 90-120k | 325 | 15.4% |
| 120-150k | 214 | 13.6% |
| 150k+ | 130 | 13.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 1,042 | 14.5% |
| Electric | 59 | 10.2% |
| Other | 58 | 13.8% |
| Petrol | 51 | 9.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 263 | 13.7% |
| 2022 | 248 | 14.1% |
| 2023 | 244 | 14.8% |
| 2024 | 238 | 14.7% |
| 2025 | 218 | 12.8% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Gs450H
On a 2009 Gs450H, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.9% 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.
- Suspension (4.6% 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.
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 Gs450Hs pass their MOT?
86.0% of the 1,211 2009 Lexus Gs450H MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Lexus Gs450H?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.5% of tests, followed by tyres (4.9%).
Does the 2009 Gs450H get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.8% in the 30-60k band to 13.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,211 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.