2002 Lexus Is200 — MOT failures & pass rate
6,430 MOT tests on the 2002 Lexus Is200 are in this dataset, and 76.8% of them passed. That is 4.3 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.5%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.9%) 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, position lamp and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 412 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 26.5% versus 2.0%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 32.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 24.5% in 2021 to 22.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.9% | 827 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.4% | 733 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.5% | 481 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.1% | 391 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.0% | 383 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 300 |
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 | 412 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 364 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 316 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 280 |
| 5 | Washers | 229 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 224 |
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 | 32.6% | 2,099 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.3% | 1,752 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.0% | 1,607 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 1,148 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.9% | 702 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.2% | 657 |
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 | 50 | 2.0% |
| 30-60k | 470 | 18.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,329 | 20.5% |
| 90-120k | 1,826 | 23.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,607 | 24.5% |
| 150k+ | 1,141 | 26.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,746 | 24.5% |
| 2022 | 1,464 | 22.4% |
| 2023 | 1,242 | 22.7% |
| 2024 | 1,088 | 23.3% |
| 2025 | 890 | 22.5% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Is200
On a 2002 Is200, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.9% 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 (7.5% 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 2002 Lexus Is200s pass their MOT?
76.8% of the 6,430 2002 Lexus Is200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Lexus Is200?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.9% of tests, followed by suspension (11.4%).
Does the 2002 Is200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.0% in the 0-30k band to 26.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,430 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.