2006 Lexus Is 250 -L — MOT failures & pass rate
386 MOT tests on the 2006 Lexus Is 250 -L are in this dataset, and 80.6% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.4% of the time, so this is 7.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.1%) and brakes (9.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and catalyst emissions — headlamp alone was recorded 23 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.1% in the 30-60k band and 22.4% in the 150k+ band, a 15.2-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 26.4% 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 | 11.1% | 43 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.3% | 36 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.9% | 19 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 19 |
| 5 | Suspension | 4.2% | 16 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.9% | 15 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 23 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 22 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 15 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 15 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 14 |
| 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 | Tyres | 26.4% | 102 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.2% | 101 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.9% | 69 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 38 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.6% | 33 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.3% | 32 |
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 | 42 | 7.1% |
| 60-90k | 66 | 18.2% |
| 90-120k | 89 | 16.9% |
| 120-150k | 121 | 24.8% |
| 150k+ | 67 | 22.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 86 | 19.8% |
| 2022 | 83 | 16.9% |
| 2023 | 80 | 21.3% |
| 2024 | 74 | 20.3% |
| 2025 | 63 | 19.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Is 250 -L
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.3% 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 (4.9% 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.
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 250 -Ls pass their MOT?
80.6% of the 386 2006 Lexus Is 250 -L MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Lexus Is 250 -L?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.1% of tests, followed by brakes (9.3%).
Does the 2006 Is 250 -L get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.1% in the 30-60k band to 22.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 386 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.