2012 Lexus Is250C — MOT failures & pass rate
368 MOT tests on the 2012 Lexus Is250C are in this dataset, and 88.0% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (21.9% fail rate), the 2012 Is250C comes out 9.9pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.7%) and visibility (4.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, tread depth and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 10 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.4% in the 0-30k band and 20.0% in the 90-120k band, a 13.6-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 6.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.7% | 21 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.1% | 15 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.1% | 15 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.3% | 12 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.2% | 8 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 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 | 10 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 10 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 9 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 8 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 8 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 7 |
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 | 25.8% | 95 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.9% | 62 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 5.2% | 19 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.9% | 18 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.5% | 13 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.7% | 10 |
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 | 47 | 6.4% |
| 30-60k | 144 | 10.4% |
| 60-90k | 123 | 13.8% |
| 90-120k | 40 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 67 | 6.0% |
| 2022 | 72 | 11.1% |
| 2023 | 74 | 10.8% |
| 2024 | 75 | 12.0% |
| 2025 | 80 | 18.8% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Is250C
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.7% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.7% 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.
- Visibility (4.1% 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.
- Brakes (4.1% 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.
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 2012 Lexus Is250Cs pass their MOT?
88.0% of the 368 2012 Lexus Is250C MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Lexus Is250C?
Tyres, recorded in 5.7% of tests, followed by visibility (4.1%).
Does the 2012 Is250C get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.4% in the 0-30k band to 20.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 368 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.