2020 Lexus Nx — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 12,876 MOT tests, the 2020 Lexus Nx recorded a 95.7% pass rate. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (8.8% fail rate), the 2020 Nx comes out 4.4pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (2.9%) and visibility (1.9%) 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 258 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2020 Nx fails 2.8% of the time in the 0-30k band and 5.3% at 90-120k, a spread of only 2.5 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 1.8% of tests failed in 2022 against 5.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.9% | 375 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.9% | 245 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 162 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.5% | 64 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 57 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.3% | 32 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 258 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 197 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 133 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 38 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 38 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 33 |
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 | 20.8% | 2,673 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.6% | 721 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.5% | 578 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.1% | 272 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.0% | 260 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.1% | 13 |
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 | 7,154 | 2.8% |
| 30-60k | 5,191 | 6.1% |
| 60-90k | 487 | 7.8% |
| 90-120k | 38 | 5.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 166 | 1.8% |
| 2023 | 4,399 | 3.6% |
| 2024 | 4,165 | 4.5% |
| 2025 | 4,143 | 5.0% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Nx
On a 2020 Nx, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 2.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (2.9% 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 (1.9% 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 (1.3% 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 2020 Lexus Nxs pass their MOT?
95.7% of the 12,876 2020 Lexus Nx MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Lexus Nx?
Tyres, recorded in 2.9% of tests, followed by visibility (1.9%).
Does the 2020 Nx get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.8% in the 0-30k band to 5.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,876 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.