2009 Lexus Is220 — MOT failures & pass rate
6,385 MOT tests on the 2009 Lexus Is220 are in this dataset, and 81.1% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (25.3% fail rate), the 2009 Is220 comes out 6.4pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.3% of tests against 8.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 438 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 2.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 22.8% once past 150k — 8.2× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 31.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 18.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 788 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.6% | 546 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.9% | 379 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.5% | 224 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.3% | 211 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 134 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 438 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 365 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 360 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 298 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 201 |
| 6 | Wipers | 191 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 31.8% | 2,027 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.7% | 1,898 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.1% | 1,156 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.3% | 915 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.9% | 634 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.5% | 480 |
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 | 36 | 2.8% |
| 30-60k | 210 | 9.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,041 | 14.5% |
| 90-120k | 2,165 | 18.5% |
| 120-150k | 1,727 | 20.8% |
| 150k+ | 1,200 | 22.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 6,326 | 19.0% |
| Petrol | 59 | 11.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,554 | 18.4% |
| 2022 | 1,414 | 17.6% |
| 2023 | 1,306 | 18.5% |
| 2024 | 1,142 | 20.0% |
| 2025 | 969 | 20.9% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Is220
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.6% 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 (5.9% 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 2009 Lexus Is220s pass their MOT?
81.1% of the 6,385 2009 Lexus Is220 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Lexus Is220?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.3% of tests, followed by brakes (8.6%).
Does the 2009 Is220 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.8% in the 0-30k band to 22.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,385 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.