2011 Lexus Is200 — MOT failures & pass rate
2,404 MOT tests on the 2011 Lexus Is200 are in this dataset, and 82.3% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 23.1% of the time, so this is 5.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.6%) and brakes (8.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, position lamp and service brake performance — tread depth alone was recorded 138 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.5% in the 30-60k band and 21.8% in the 150k+ band, a 12.4-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 29.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 15.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.6% | 231 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.1% | 195 |
| 3 | Tyres | 7.4% | 177 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.3% | 79 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.4% | 57 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.1% | 27 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 138 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 124 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 93 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 92 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 91 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 71 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 29.3% | 705 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.3% | 632 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.9% | 263 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.9% | 237 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.1% | 194 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.8% | 139 |
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 | 222 | 9.5% |
| 60-90k | 598 | 15.9% |
| 90-120k | 682 | 18.3% |
| 120-150k | 509 | 20.0% |
| 150k+ | 371 | 21.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 509 | 15.1% |
| 2022 | 484 | 15.1% |
| 2023 | 499 | 19.2% |
| 2024 | 484 | 20.7% |
| 2025 | 428 | 18.7% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Is200
On a 2011 Is200, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.1% 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.
- Tyres (7.4% 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 2011 Lexus Is200s pass their MOT?
82.3% of the 2,404 2011 Lexus Is200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Lexus Is200?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.6% of tests, followed by brakes (8.1%).
Does the 2011 Is200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.5% in the 30-60k band to 21.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,404 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.