2018 Lexus Nx — MOT failures & pass rate
23,284 MOT tests on the 2018 Lexus Nx are in this dataset, and 95.1% of them passed. That is 5.3 percentage points better than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 10.2%. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.1%) and visibility (2.6%) 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 tread depth — wipers alone was recorded 716 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 2.7% in the 0-30k band and 11.1% in the 150k+ band, a 8.5-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 3.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 6.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.1% | 720 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.6% | 604 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 321 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.8% | 182 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.5% | 126 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.2% | 42 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 716 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 368 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 247 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 145 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 135 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 88 |
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 | 22.0% | 5,115 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.3% | 1,712 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.0% | 1,162 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.6% | 1,081 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.6% | 607 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.1% | 25 |
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 | 9,209 | 2.7% |
| 30-60k | 10,776 | 5.8% |
| 60-90k | 2,704 | 8.0% |
| 90-120k | 473 | 9.5% |
| 120-150k | 86 | 9.3% |
| 150k+ | 36 | 11.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,771 | 3.2% |
| 2022 | 4,671 | 3.1% |
| 2023 | 4,687 | 5.0% |
| 2024 | 4,599 | 6.7% |
| 2025 | 4,556 | 6.9% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Nx
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 3.1% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (3.1% 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 (2.6% 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 (1.4% 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 Nxs pass their MOT?
95.1% of the 23,284 2018 Lexus Nx MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Lexus Nx?
Tyres, recorded in 3.1% of tests, followed by visibility (2.6%).
Does the 2018 Nx get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.7% in the 0-30k band to 11.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 23,284 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.