2008 Lexus Is F — MOT failures & pass rate
349 MOT tests on the 2008 Lexus Is F are in this dataset, and 92.8% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (26.4% fail rate), the 2008 Is F comes out 19.2pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.3%) and brakes (2.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and rbt (sp) — headlamp aim alone was recorded 13 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 0.0% in the 30-60k band and 12.5% in the 120-150k band, a 12.5-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 15.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 3.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 11.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.3% | 15 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.6% | 9 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 2.0% | 7 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.0% | 7 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.9% | 3 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.9% | 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 | 13 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 5 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 3 |
| 4 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 3 |
| 5 | Wipers | 3 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 2 |
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 | 15.8% | 55 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.0% | 28 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.7% | 27 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.2% | 18 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.4% | 12 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.6% | 9 |
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 | 36 | 0.0% |
| 60-90k | 113 | 7.1% |
| 90-120k | 101 | 7.9% |
| 120-150k | 64 | 12.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 66 | 3.0% |
| 2022 | 67 | 4.5% |
| 2023 | 72 | 8.3% |
| 2024 | 72 | 8.3% |
| 2025 | 72 | 11.1% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Is F
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 4.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (4.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (2.6% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (2.0% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 Fs pass their MOT?
92.8% of the 349 2008 Lexus Is F MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Lexus Is F?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.3% of tests, followed by brakes (2.6%).
Does the 2008 Is F get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 0.0% in the 30-60k band to 12.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 349 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.