2008 Lexus Is/220D — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 527 MOT tests, the 2008 Lexus Is/220D recorded a 78.0% pass rate. That is 4.0 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.5% of tests against 8.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 44 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2008 Is/220D fails 22.6% of the time in the 60-90k band and 24.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.1 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 34.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 21.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.5% | 87 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.9% | 47 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.1% | 32 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.5% | 24 |
| 5 | Suspension | 4.4% | 23 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 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 | 44 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 43 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 37 |
| 4 | Wipers | 25 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 18 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 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 | Brakes | 34.5% | 182 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.6% | 161 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.2% | 96 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 85 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.8% | 78 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.3% | 33 |
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 | 53 | 22.6% |
| 90-120k | 173 | 21.4% |
| 120-150k | 171 | 20.5% |
| 150k+ | 109 | 24.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 149 | 21.5% |
| 2022 | 132 | 20.4% |
| 2023 | 99 | 21.2% |
| 2024 | 82 | 21.9% |
| 2025 | 65 | 27.7% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Is/220D
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.9% 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 (6.1% 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 Is/220Ds pass their MOT?
78.0% of the 527 2008 Lexus Is/220D MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Lexus Is/220D?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.5% of tests, followed by brakes (8.9%).
Does the 2008 Is/220D get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.6% in the 60-90k band to 24.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 527 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.