2006 Lexus Is/220D — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 499 MOT tests, the 2006 Lexus Is/220D recorded an 80.4% pass rate. That is 7.5 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.4% of tests against 10.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 47 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.3% in the 60-90k band and 22.9% in the 150k+ band, a 9.6-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 31.3% 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 | 14.4% | 72 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.6% | 53 |
| 3 | Tyres | 7.2% | 36 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.2% | 21 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.8% | 14 |
| 6 | Suspension | 2.8% | 14 |
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 | 47 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 30 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 23 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 23 |
| 5 | Wipers | 20 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 17 |
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 | 31.3% | 156 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.3% | 136 |
| 3 | Suspension | 25.4% | 127 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 94 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.8% | 74 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.2% | 46 |
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 | 45 | 13.3% |
| 90-120k | 127 | 15.8% |
| 120-150k | 148 | 20.9% |
| 150k+ | 170 | 22.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 170 | 21.2% |
| 2022 | 119 | 16.8% |
| 2023 | 95 | 16.8% |
| 2024 | 69 | 23.2% |
| 2025 | 46 | 21.7% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Is/220D
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.6% 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.
- Tyres (7.2% 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 2006 Lexus Is/220Ds pass their MOT?
80.4% of the 499 2006 Lexus Is/220D MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Lexus Is/220D?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.4% of tests, followed by brakes (10.6%).
Does the 2006 Is/220D get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.3% in the 60-90k band to 22.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 499 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.