2013 Lexus Is 300H — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2013 Lexus Is 300H passed 90.3% of its 964 recorded MOT tests. That is 10.3 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 20.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.1%) and tyres (4.7%) 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 29 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 12.3% versus 3.2%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 21.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.1% | 49 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.7% | 45 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.0% | 29 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.7% | 16 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.8% | 8 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 4 |
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 | 29 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 20 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 16 |
| 4 | Wipers | 12 |
| 5 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 12 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 7 |
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 | 21.7% | 209 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.9% | 173 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.4% | 62 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.9% | 47 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.9% | 47 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 12 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 31 | 3.2% |
| 30-60k | 154 | 8.4% |
| 60-90k | 262 | 9.2% |
| 90-120k | 248 | 8.1% |
| 120-150k | 131 | 14.5% |
| 150k+ | 138 | 12.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 205 | 11.7% |
| 2022 | 187 | 5.9% |
| 2023 | 187 | 9.6% |
| 2024 | 192 | 9.4% |
| 2025 | 193 | 11.9% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Is 300H
On a 2013 Is 300H, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (5.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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.
- Brakes (3.0% 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.
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 2013 Lexus Is 300Hs pass their MOT?
90.3% of the 964 2013 Lexus Is 300H MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Lexus Is 300H?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.1% of tests, followed by tyres (4.7%).
Does the 2013 Is 300H get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.2% in the 0-30k band to 12.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 964 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.