2005 Lexus Is300 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 376 MOT tests, the 2005 Lexus Is300 recorded a 78.5% pass rate. That is 6.1 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.9%) and suspension (9.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, coil spring and service brake performance — headlamp aim alone was recorded 26 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.5% in the 30-60k band and 26.4% in the 150k+ band, a 13.9-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 26.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.9% | 41 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.3% | 35 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.1% | 23 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.6% | 21 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.5% | 17 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.9% | 11 |
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 | 26 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 24 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 17 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 13 |
| 5 | Washers | 12 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 11 |
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 | 26.3% | 99 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.3% | 95 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.3% | 95 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.4% | 58 |
| 5 | Visibility | 11.4% | 43 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.3% | 35 |
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 | 40 | 12.5% |
| 60-90k | 96 | 19.8% |
| 90-120k | 121 | 22.3% |
| 120-150k | 66 | 24.2% |
| 150k+ | 53 | 26.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 90 | 21.1% |
| 2022 | 81 | 24.7% |
| 2023 | 78 | 24.4% |
| 2024 | 63 | 14.3% |
| 2025 | 64 | 21.9% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Is300
On a 2005 Is300, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.3% 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.
- Visibility (6.1% 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.
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 2005 Lexus Is300s pass their MOT?
78.5% of the 376 2005 Lexus Is300 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Lexus Is300?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.9% of tests, followed by suspension (9.3%).
Does the 2005 Is300 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.5% in the 30-60k band to 26.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 376 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.