2009 Lexus Ls460 — MOT failures & pass rate
368 MOT tests on the 2009 Lexus Ls460 are in this dataset, and 84.2% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (25.4% fail rate), the 2009 Ls460 comes out 9.6pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (7.3%) and brakes (7.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, position lamp and tread depth — pins and bushes alone was recorded 47 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2009 Ls460 fails 12.5% of the time in the 30-60k band and 9.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.7 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 21.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 20.7% in 2021 to 13.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 7.3% | 27 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.1% | 26 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.4% | 20 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 17 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.9% | 7 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 47 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 14 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 10 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 9 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 9 |
| 6 | Wipers | 9 |
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 | 21.2% | 78 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.5% | 68 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.2% | 56 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.0% | 22 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.4% | 20 |
| 6 | Other defects | 3.8% | 14 |
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 | 48 | 12.5% |
| 60-90k | 146 | 17.1% |
| 90-120k | 101 | 18.8% |
| 150k+ | 41 | 9.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 82 | 20.7% |
| 2022 | 83 | 16.9% |
| 2023 | 68 | 11.8% |
| 2024 | 70 | 14.3% |
| 2025 | 65 | 13.9% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Ls460
On a 2009 Ls460, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (7.3% 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.
- Brakes (7.1% 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.
- Tyres (5.4% 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.
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 2009 Lexus Ls460s pass their MOT?
84.2% of the 368 2009 Lexus Ls460 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Lexus Ls460?
Suspension, recorded in 7.3% of tests, followed by brakes (7.1%).
Does the 2009 Ls460 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.5% in the 30-60k band to 9.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 368 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.