2001 Lexus Ls430 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,095 MOT tests, the 2001 Lexus Ls430 recorded an 84.6% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.1% of the time, so this is 11.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.6% of tests against 5.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and malfunction indicator lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 62 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.1% in the 60-90k band and 20.8% in the 150k+ band, a 12.7-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 28.3% 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 | 10.6% | 116 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.9% | 65 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 5.4% | 59 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.4% | 48 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 37 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.7% | 30 |
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 | 62 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 55 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 35 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 34 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 30 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 27 |
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 | 28.3% | 310 |
| 2 | Tyres | 22.0% | 241 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.2% | 188 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 174 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.9% | 163 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.2% | 134 |
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 | 161 | 8.1% |
| 90-120k | 268 | 12.3% |
| 120-150k | 302 | 17.2% |
| 150k+ | 337 | 20.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 281 | 15.7% |
| 2022 | 251 | 16.7% |
| 2023 | 216 | 13.4% |
| 2024 | 173 | 16.2% |
| 2025 | 174 | 14.9% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Ls430
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.9% 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.
- 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 2001 Lexus Ls430s pass their MOT?
84.6% of the 1,095 2001 Lexus Ls430 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Lexus Ls430?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.6% of tests, followed by brakes (5.9%).
Does the 2001 Ls430 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.1% in the 60-90k band to 20.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,095 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.