2004 Lexus Is300 — MOT failures & pass rate
949 MOT tests on the 2004 Lexus Is300 are in this dataset, and 80.2% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2004 Is300 comes out 7.9pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.1%) and suspension (9.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, malfunction indicator lamp and coil spring — headlamp aim alone was recorded 74 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 13.2% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 20.8% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 25.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 21.1% in 2021 to 16.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 105 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.8% | 93 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 5.4% | 51 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.2% | 49 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.2% | 40 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.0% | 38 |
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 | 74 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 41 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 38 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 35 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 32 |
| 6 | Washers | 30 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 25.4% | 241 |
| 2 | Suspension | 23.6% | 224 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.0% | 209 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.2% | 97 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.9% | 94 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 77 |
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 | 91 | 13.2% |
| 60-90k | 225 | 18.2% |
| 90-120k | 288 | 21.5% |
| 120-150k | 212 | 21.2% |
| 150k+ | 130 | 20.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 227 | 21.1% |
| 2022 | 214 | 22.0% |
| 2023 | 179 | 19.0% |
| 2024 | 178 | 19.1% |
| 2025 | 151 | 16.6% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Is300
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.8% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (5.4% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2004 Lexus Is300s pass their MOT?
80.2% of the 949 2004 Lexus Is300 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Lexus Is300?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.1% of tests, followed by suspension (9.8%).
Does the 2004 Is300 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.2% in the 30-60k band to 20.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 949 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.