2018 Lexus Ls — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2018 Lexus Ls passed 96.3% of its 376 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 11.0% of the time, so this is 7.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (2.9%) and visibility (2.4%) 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 tyre pressure monitoring system — wipers alone was recorded 10 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 13.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 1.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 5.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.9% | 11 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.4% | 9 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 5 |
| 4 | Other defects | 0.3% | 1 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.3% | 1 |
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 | Headlamp aim | 7 |
| 3 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 3 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 2 |
| 5 | Headlamp cleaning device | 1 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 1 |
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 | 13.6% | 51 |
| 2 | Other defects | 2.9% | 11 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.6% | 6 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.3% | 5 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.8% | 3 |
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 | 226 | 2.6% |
| 30-60k | 125 | 6.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 78 | 1.3% |
| 2022 | 77 | 2.6% |
| 2023 | 74 | 2.7% |
| 2024 | 73 | 6.9% |
| 2025 | 74 | 5.4% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Ls
On a 2018 Ls, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 2.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (2.9% 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 (2.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2018 Lexus Lss pass their MOT?
96.3% of the 376 2018 Lexus Ls MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 3.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Lexus Ls?
Tyres, recorded in 2.9% of tests, followed by visibility (2.4%).
Does the 2018 Ls get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.6% in the 0-30k band to 6.4% in the 30-60k 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.