2000 Lexus Is200 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2000 Lexus Is200 passed 75.3% of its 3,176 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 26.8% of the time, so this is 2.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.6%) and suspension (11.4%) 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 headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 236 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.6% in the 30-60k band and 27.9% in the 150k+ band, a 9.3-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 38.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 26.2% in 2021 to 23.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.6% | 400 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.4% | 363 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.4% | 268 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.1% | 227 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.5% | 175 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 150 |
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 | 236 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 190 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 158 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 157 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 143 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 119 |
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 | 38.2% | 1,213 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.3% | 930 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.4% | 805 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 573 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.2% | 418 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.6% | 400 |
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 | 199 | 18.6% |
| 60-90k | 546 | 22.9% |
| 90-120k | 817 | 23.9% |
| 120-150k | 780 | 25.8% |
| 150k+ | 802 | 27.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 988 | 26.2% |
| 2022 | 760 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 583 | 21.8% |
| 2024 | 458 | 22.7% |
| 2025 | 387 | 23.3% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Is200
On a 2000 Is200, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.4% 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 (8.4% 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 2000 Lexus Is200s pass their MOT?
75.3% of the 3,176 2000 Lexus Is200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Lexus Is200?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.6% of tests, followed by suspension (11.4%).
Does the 2000 Is200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.6% in the 30-60k band to 27.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,176 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.