2007 Lexus Is 250 -L — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 317 MOT tests, the 2007 Lexus Is 250 -L recorded an 83.3% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.0% of the time, so this is 10.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 12.3% of all tests — 5.7 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 22 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 23.5% versus 14.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 30.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 13.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 39 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.6% | 21 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.7% | 15 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.8% | 9 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.8% | 9 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.2% | 7 |
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 | 22 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 14 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 12 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 9 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 7 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 6 |
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 | 30.0% | 95 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.1% | 70 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.1% | 48 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.5% | 27 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.9% | 25 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.9% | 22 |
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 | 99 | 14.1% |
| 90-120k | 85 | 15.3% |
| 120-150k | 72 | 18.1% |
| 150k+ | 34 | 23.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 67 | 13.4% |
| 2022 | 57 | 10.5% |
| 2023 | 65 | 18.5% |
| 2024 | 64 | 21.9% |
| 2025 | 64 | 18.8% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Is 250 -L
On a 2007 Is 250 -L, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.6% 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 (4.7% 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 2007 Lexus Is 250 -Ls pass their MOT?
83.3% of the 317 2007 Lexus Is 250 -L MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Lexus Is 250 -L?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.3% of tests, followed by brakes (6.6%).
Does the 2007 Is 250 -L get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.1% in the 60-90k band to 23.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 317 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.