2003 Lexus Is200 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,983 MOT tests, the 2003 Lexus Is200 recorded a 77.5% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2003 Is200 comes out 5.2pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.6%) and suspension (10.5%) 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 455 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.8% in the 0-30k band and 25.4% in the 150k+ band, a 13.6-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 30.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.6% in 2021 to 21.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.6% | 1,003 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.5% | 835 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.9% | 551 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.8% | 463 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.0% | 402 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.5% | 357 |
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 | 455 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 435 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 423 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 304 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 289 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 280 |
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 | 30.3% | 2,418 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.4% | 2,184 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.6% | 2,042 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 1,359 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.4% | 912 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.0% | 796 |
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 | 34 | 11.8% |
| 30-60k | 581 | 15.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,715 | 19.2% |
| 90-120k | 2,681 | 23.5% |
| 120-150k | 1,828 | 24.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,142 | 25.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,157 | 23.6% |
| 2022 | 1,827 | 22.1% |
| 2023 | 1,554 | 22.5% |
| 2024 | 1,306 | 22.3% |
| 2025 | 1,139 | 21.0% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Is200
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.6% of tests. Start there.
- 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 (10.5% 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 (6.9% 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 2003 Lexus Is200s pass their MOT?
77.5% of the 7,983 2003 Lexus Is200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Lexus Is200?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.6% of tests, followed by suspension (10.5%).
Does the 2003 Is200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.8% in the 0-30k band to 25.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,983 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.