2004 Lexus Is200 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,152 MOT tests, the 2004 Lexus Is200 recorded a 77.7% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.7% of the time, so this is 5.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.7%) and suspension (11.1%) 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 532 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.9% in the 0-30k band and 25.1% in the 150k+ band, a 16.2-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 28.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 1,074 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.1% | 1,017 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.2% | 569 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.9% | 544 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.2% | 476 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.4% | 312 |
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 | 532 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 501 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 449 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 376 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 370 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 291 |
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 | 28.8% | 2,633 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.9% | 2,549 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.6% | 2,247 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 1,500 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.0% | 1,005 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.2% | 840 |
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 | 112 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 912 | 14.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,186 | 20.3% |
| 90-120k | 2,835 | 24.0% |
| 120-150k | 2,005 | 24.7% |
| 150k+ | 1,099 | 25.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,332 | 21.6% |
| 2022 | 2,057 | 23.0% |
| 2023 | 1,795 | 22.2% |
| 2024 | 1,571 | 22.2% |
| 2025 | 1,397 | 22.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Is200
On a 2004 Is200, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.1% 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.
- Tyres (6.2% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2004 Lexus Is200s pass their MOT?
77.7% of the 9,152 2004 Lexus Is200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Lexus Is200?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.7% of tests, followed by suspension (11.1%).
Does the 2004 Is200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 0-30k band to 25.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,152 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.