1999 Lexus Is200 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,007 MOT tests, the 1999 Lexus Is200 recorded a 77.5% pass rate. That is 3.8 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.3%) and suspension (11.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and position lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 140 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.1% in the 30-60k band and 23.8% in the 150k+ band, a 8.8-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.4% in 2021 to 18.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 247 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.2% | 225 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.1% | 143 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.4% | 109 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.5% | 91 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.1% | 83 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 140 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 111 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 100 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 83 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 72 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 67 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 33.9% | 681 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.9% | 540 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.6% | 513 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.1% | 384 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.7% | 235 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.5% | 231 |
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 | 106 | 15.1% |
| 60-90k | 326 | 18.7% |
| 90-120k | 495 | 24.0% |
| 120-150k | 537 | 23.5% |
| 150k+ | 537 | 23.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 564 | 23.4% |
| 2022 | 507 | 23.7% |
| 2023 | 404 | 22.8% |
| 2024 | 293 | 21.8% |
| 2025 | 239 | 18.0% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Is200
On a 1999 Is200, 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.
- Suspension (11.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (7.1% 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 1999 Lexus Is200s pass their MOT?
77.5% of the 2,007 1999 Lexus Is200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Lexus Is200?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.3% of tests, followed by suspension (11.2%).
Does the 1999 Is200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.1% in the 30-60k band to 23.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,007 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.