2011 Lexus Is220 — MOT failures & pass rate
512 MOT tests on the 2011 Lexus Is220 are in this dataset, and 80.9% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 23.1% of the time, so this is 3.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 11.9% of all tests — 3.5 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and position lamp — headlamp alone was recorded 30 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.0% in the 30-60k band and 23.2% in the 150k+ band, a 9.2-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 31.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 16.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.9% | 61 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.4% | 43 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.8% | 35 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.5% | 18 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.7% | 14 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.9% | 10 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 30 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 26 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 25 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 22 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 16 |
| 6 | Wipers | 14 |
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 | 31.4% | 161 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.7% | 142 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.4% | 74 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.7% | 60 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 10.9% | 56 |
| 6 | Visibility | 9.8% | 50 |
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 | 50 | 14.0% |
| 60-90k | 111 | 11.7% |
| 90-120k | 156 | 21.8% |
| 120-150k | 108 | 23.2% |
| 150k+ | 82 | 23.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 112 | 16.1% |
| 2022 | 108 | 18.5% |
| 2023 | 102 | 20.6% |
| 2024 | 98 | 19.4% |
| 2025 | 92 | 21.7% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Is220
On a 2011 Is220, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.4% 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 (6.8% 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 Is220s pass their MOT?
80.9% of the 512 2011 Lexus Is220 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Lexus Is220?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.9% of tests, followed by brakes (8.4%).
Does the 2011 Is220 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.0% in the 30-60k band to 23.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 512 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.