2009 Lexus Rx 400H Ltd Edtn Exec — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 422 MOT tests, the 2009 Lexus Rx 400H Ltd Edtn Exec recorded an 84.1% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 25.5% of the time, so this is 9.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.5%) and brakes (6.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, tread depth and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 24 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.4% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 20.3% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 37.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 13.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.5% | 36 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.6% | 28 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.2% | 22 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.2% | 22 |
| 5 | Suspension | 5.0% | 21 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.9% | 8 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 24 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 19 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 17 |
| 4 | Wipers | 14 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 12 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 10 |
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 | 37.0% | 156 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.1% | 106 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.0% | 80 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.4% | 44 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 41 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 35 |
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 | 91 | 15.4% |
| 90-120k | 98 | 10.2% |
| 120-150k | 111 | 18.0% |
| 150k+ | 113 | 20.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 348 | 16.4% |
| Other | 32 | 15.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 89 | 13.5% |
| 2022 | 83 | 14.5% |
| 2023 | 79 | 13.9% |
| 2024 | 91 | 22.0% |
| 2025 | 80 | 15.0% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Rx 400H Ltd Edtn Exec
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 8.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (8.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.6% 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 (5.2% 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 Rx 400H Ltd Edtn Execs pass their MOT?
84.1% of the 422 2009 Lexus Rx 400H Ltd Edtn Exec MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Lexus Rx 400H Ltd Edtn Exec?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.5% of tests, followed by brakes (6.6%).
Does the 2009 Rx 400H Ltd Edtn Exec get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.4% in the 60-90k band to 20.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 422 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.