Lexus Is 300H F MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 5 model years and 1,897 tests, the Lexus Is 300H F passes its MOT 89.1% of the time. Against all cars of a similar age (20.0% fail rate), the Is 300H F comes out 9.2pp better. Its most common failure areas are tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.3%) and lighting & signalling (4.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 53 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the Is 300H F fails 7.8% of the time in the 30-60k band and 10.0% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.2 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 24.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 9.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Is 300H F model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1,867 | 89.1% | 10.9% | Tyres |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.3% | 119 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 4.4% | 84 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.3% | 44 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.0% | 38 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.9% | 18 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.3% | 6 |
| 7 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.3% | 5 |
| 8 | Steering | 0.2% | 3 |
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 | 53 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 50 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 40 |
| 4 | Wipers | 35 |
| 5 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 24 |
| 6 | Washers | 16 |
| 7 | Brake pads | 13 |
| 8 | Service brake performance | 12 |
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 | 24.8% | 470 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.3% | 215 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.9% | 112 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.3% | 82 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 48 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.4% | 27 |
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 | 344 | 7.8% |
| 60-90k | 644 | 10.4% |
| 90-120k | 487 | 12.3% |
| 120-150k | 194 | 14.9% |
| 150k+ | 200 | 10.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 383 | 9.4% |
| 2022 | 377 | 8.8% |
| 2023 | 390 | 12.8% |
| 2024 | 380 | 11.3% |
| 2025 | 367 | 12.0% |
What to check before buying a Lexus Is 300H F
- Tyres (6.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (4.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (2.3% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Lexus Is 300H F?
89.1% of the 1,897 Lexus Is 300H F MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 10.9% fail rate, across model years 2013–2017.
What does the Lexus Is 300H F most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres, recorded in 6.3% of tests, then lighting & signalling (4.4%).
How much does mileage affect Is 300H F MOT results?
Fail rates run at 7.8% for cars in the 30-60k band and 10.0% for 150k+, a 2.2-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,897 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.