2011 Lexus Is250C — MOT failures & pass rate
750 MOT tests on the 2011 Lexus Is250C are in this dataset, and 89.7% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 23.2% of the time, so this is 12.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.3%) and brakes (3.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and service brake performance — wipers alone was recorded 18 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 14.0% versus 4.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 23.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 10.6% in 2021 to 7.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.3% | 32 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.6% | 27 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.5% | 26 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.1% | 23 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.3% | 10 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.3% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 18 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 17 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 13 |
| 4 | Washers | 12 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 10 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 8 |
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 | 23.2% | 174 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.9% | 119 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.1% | 53 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.9% | 44 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.5% | 34 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.6% | 27 |
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 | 87 | 4.6% |
| 30-60k | 320 | 8.8% |
| 60-90k | 232 | 12.5% |
| 90-120k | 86 | 14.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 151 | 10.6% |
| 2022 | 146 | 7.5% |
| 2023 | 154 | 12.3% |
| 2024 | 153 | 13.1% |
| 2025 | 146 | 7.5% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Is250C
On a 2011 Is250C, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.3% 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.
- Brakes (3.6% 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.
- Visibility (3.5% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 Is250Cs pass their MOT?
89.7% of the 750 2011 Lexus Is250C MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Lexus Is250C?
Tyres, recorded in 4.3% of tests, followed by brakes (3.6%).
Does the 2011 Is250C get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.6% in the 0-30k band to 14.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 750 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.