1998 Lexus Ls400 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,562 MOT tests, the 1998 Lexus Ls400 recorded an 81.4% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (25.6% fail rate), the 1998 Ls400 comes out 7.0pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.7%) and suspension (9.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 94 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 22.2% versus 4.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 152 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.1% | 142 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.4% | 100 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.0% | 63 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.8% | 60 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.9% | 46 |
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 | 94 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 83 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 65 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 60 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 52 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 49 |
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 | 36.5% | 570 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.7% | 355 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.4% | 319 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 13.6% | 212 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.1% | 189 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.6% | 135 |
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 | 45 | 4.4% |
| 60-90k | 155 | 13.6% |
| 90-120k | 235 | 13.6% |
| 120-150k | 400 | 18.8% |
| 150k+ | 717 | 22.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 379 | 19.0% |
| 2022 | 335 | 18.2% |
| 2023 | 304 | 17.8% |
| 2024 | 288 | 19.4% |
| 2025 | 256 | 18.4% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Ls400
On a 1998 Ls400, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.1% 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 (6.4% 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 1998 Lexus Ls400s pass their MOT?
81.4% of the 1,562 1998 Lexus Ls400 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Lexus Ls400?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.7% of tests, followed by suspension (9.1%).
Does the 1998 Ls400 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.4% in the 30-60k band to 22.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,562 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.