2001 Lexus Is200 — MOT failures & pass rate
5,225 MOT tests on the 2001 Lexus Is200 are in this dataset, and 77.0% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.1% fail rate), the 2001 Is200 comes out 4.1pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.1%) and suspension (11.9%) 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 339 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 5.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.4% once past 150k — 4.7× the risk.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 36.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.9% in 2021 to 20.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 634 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.9% | 622 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.7% | 351 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.9% | 311 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.3% | 278 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.6% | 189 |
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 | 339 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 325 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 231 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 225 |
| 5 | Washers | 171 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 164 |
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 | 36.6% | 1,914 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.7% | 1,446 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.6% | 1,288 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 878 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.3% | 590 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.9% | 569 |
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 | 37 | 5.4% |
| 30-60k | 306 | 19.3% |
| 60-90k | 954 | 21.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,494 | 22.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,342 | 24.5% |
| 150k+ | 1,090 | 25.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,493 | 23.9% |
| 2022 | 1,202 | 23.1% |
| 2023 | 991 | 23.3% |
| 2024 | 852 | 23.4% |
| 2025 | 687 | 20.2% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Is200
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.9% 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 (6.7% 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 2001 Lexus Is200s pass their MOT?
77.0% of the 5,225 2001 Lexus Is200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Lexus Is200?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.1% of tests, followed by suspension (11.9%).
Does the 2001 Is200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.4% in the 0-30k band to 25.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,225 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.