1995 Lexus Ls400 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 655 MOT tests, the 1995 Lexus Ls400 recorded an 80.2% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 24.3% of the time, so this is 4.4pp 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 (9.3%) 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 catalyst emissions, position lamp and component mounting prescribed areas — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 30 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 16.0% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 23.0% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 36.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.3% | 61 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.2% | 60 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.6% | 43 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.2% | 34 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.3% | 28 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.4% | 22 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 30 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 29 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 29 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 27 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 26 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 21 |
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 | 36.0% | 236 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.2% | 152 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.6% | 135 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.1% | 112 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.9% | 78 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.7% | 57 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 94 | 16.0% |
| 90-120k | 128 | 20.3% |
| 120-150k | 155 | 18.1% |
| 150k+ | 239 | 23.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 160 | 21.3% |
| 2022 | 138 | 19.6% |
| 2023 | 136 | 19.1% |
| 2024 | 114 | 17.5% |
| 2025 | 107 | 21.5% |
What to check before buying a 1995 Ls400
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 9.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (9.3% 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 (6.6% 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 1995 Lexus Ls400s pass their MOT?
80.2% of the 655 1995 Lexus Ls400 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1995 Lexus Ls400?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.3% of tests, followed by suspension (9.2%).
Does the 1995 Ls400 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.0% in the 60-90k band to 23.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 655 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.