2003 Lexus Is300 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,120 MOT tests on the 2003 Lexus Is300 are in this dataset, and 79.6% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.6% of the time, so this is 7.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.6%) and suspension (9.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 70 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 14.3% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 22.9% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 30.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.6% | 108 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.2% | 103 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.3% | 71 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.8% | 65 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.3% | 48 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.0% | 34 |
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 | 70 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 46 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 46 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 38 |
| 5 | Washers | 35 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 34 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 30.4% | 341 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.9% | 268 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.8% | 267 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.6% | 197 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.2% | 193 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.7% | 109 |
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 | 84 | 14.3% |
| 60-90k | 239 | 18.0% |
| 90-120k | 316 | 20.3% |
| 120-150k | 296 | 23.3% |
| 150k+ | 175 | 22.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 265 | 21.1% |
| 2022 | 245 | 21.2% |
| 2023 | 225 | 20.0% |
| 2024 | 192 | 17.7% |
| 2025 | 193 | 21.2% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Is300
On a 2003 Is300, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (6.3% 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 2003 Lexus Is300s pass their MOT?
79.6% of the 1,120 2003 Lexus Is300 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Lexus Is300?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.6% of tests, followed by suspension (9.2%).
Does the 2003 Is300 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.3% in the 30-60k band to 22.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,120 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.