2020 Lexus Is — MOT failures & pass rate
1,844 MOT tests on the 2020 Lexus Is are in this dataset, and 93.9% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail 10.0% of the time, so this is 3.8pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.1%) and visibility (3.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, washers and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 45 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2020 Is fails 3.9% of the time in the 0-30k band and 6.9% at 90-120k, a spread of only 3.0 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 23.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 8.9% in 2022 to 5.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.1% | 95 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.0% | 55 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 25 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.5% | 9 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 0.1% | 2 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.1% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 45 |
| 2 | Washers | 19 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 18 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 18 |
| 5 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 5 |
| 6 | Headlamp cleaning device | 5 |
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 | 23.5% | 433 |
| 2 | Other defects | 4.5% | 83 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.9% | 71 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 53 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.7% | 13 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.3% | 5 |
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 | 904 | 3.9% |
| 30-60k | 632 | 8.1% |
| 60-90k | 213 | 9.4% |
| 90-120k | 73 | 6.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 45 | 8.9% |
| 2023 | 629 | 6.7% |
| 2024 | 591 | 6.3% |
| 2025 | 578 | 5.2% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Is
On a 2020 Is, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.1% 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.
- Visibility (3.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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
How many 2020 Lexus Iss pass their MOT?
93.9% of the 1,844 2020 Lexus Is MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Lexus Is?
Tyres, recorded in 5.1% of tests, followed by visibility (3.0%).
Does the 2020 Is get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.9% in the 0-30k band to 6.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,844 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.