2009 Lexus Is250 — MOT failures & pass rate
6,823 MOT tests on the 2009 Lexus Is250 are in this dataset, and 84.8% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (25.5% fail rate), the 2009 Is250 comes out 10.3pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.2%) and brakes (5.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 304 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 14.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 24.0% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 13.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.2% | 556 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.8% | 396 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.5% | 375 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 196 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.2% | 151 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.9% | 127 |
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 | 304 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 251 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 223 |
| 4 | Wipers | 175 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 171 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 162 |
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 | 26.3% | 1,794 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.8% | 1,422 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.3% | 701 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.9% | 606 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.3% | 568 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.6% | 384 |
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 | 151 | 14.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,262 | 11.5% |
| 60-90k | 2,279 | 12.6% |
| 90-120k | 1,726 | 16.4% |
| 120-150k | 947 | 19.9% |
| 150k+ | 458 | 24.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,383 | 13.0% |
| 2022 | 1,385 | 14.2% |
| 2023 | 1,402 | 16.6% |
| 2024 | 1,339 | 15.2% |
| 2025 | 1,314 | 17.1% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Is250
On a 2009 Is250, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.8% 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 (5.5% 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 Is250s pass their MOT?
84.8% of the 6,823 2009 Lexus Is250 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Lexus Is250?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.2% of tests, followed by brakes (5.8%).
Does the 2009 Is250 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.6% in the 0-30k band to 24.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,823 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.