2017 Lexus Rc — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2017 Lexus Rc passed 90.9% of its 2,367 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 12.7% of the time, so this is 3.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 6.4% of tests against 2.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and tread depth — wipers alone was recorded 71 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 11.5% once past 90-120k.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.4% | 151 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.5% | 59 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.1% | 51 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 45 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.5% | 12 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.2% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 71 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 32 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 26 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 23 |
| 5 | Headlamp cleaning device | 14 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 11 |
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 | 25.8% | 611 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.2% | 218 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.2% | 76 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.1% | 73 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.5% | 36 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.5% | 12 |
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 | 798 | 6.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,193 | 10.0% |
| 60-90k | 313 | 12.5% |
| 90-120k | 52 | 11.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 2,223 | 9.3% |
| Petrol | 144 | 6.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 476 | 8.4% |
| 2022 | 477 | 8.4% |
| 2023 | 472 | 8.5% |
| 2024 | 473 | 10.8% |
| 2025 | 469 | 9.4% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Rc
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.4% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.4% 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.
- Visibility (2.5% 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.
- Brakes (2.1% 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.
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 2017 Lexus Rcs pass their MOT?
90.9% of the 2,367 2017 Lexus Rc MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Lexus Rc?
Tyres, recorded in 6.4% of tests, followed by visibility (2.5%).
Does the 2017 Rc get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.3% in the 0-30k band to 11.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,367 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.