2011 Lexus Rx 450H -I — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 261 MOT tests, the 2011 Lexus Rx 450H -I recorded an 88.5% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 23.2% of the time, so this is 11.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.5%) and suspension (4.6%) 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 brake pads — position lamp alone was recorded 14 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2011 Rx 450H -I fails 11.2% of the time in the 60-90k band and 12.2% at 120-150k, a spread of only 1.0 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 25.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 16.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.5% | 17 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.6% | 12 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.5% | 9 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.1% | 8 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.7% | 7 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.4% | 1 |
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 | 14 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 7 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 7 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 5 |
| 5 | Washers | 5 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 5 |
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 | 25.3% | 66 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.5% | 64 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.0% | 34 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.7% | 20 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.0% | 13 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.6% | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 98 | 11.2% |
| 90-120k | 83 | 13.3% |
| 120-150k | 41 | 12.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 54 | 16.7% |
| 2022 | 48 | 2.1% |
| 2023 | 49 | 2.0% |
| 2024 | 55 | 14.5% |
| 2025 | 55 | 20.0% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Rx 450H -I
On a 2011 Rx 450H -I, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (4.6% 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 (3.5% 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 2011 Lexus Rx 450H -Is pass their MOT?
88.5% of the 261 2011 Lexus Rx 450H -I MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Lexus Rx 450H -I?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.5% of tests, followed by suspension (4.6%).
Does the 2011 Rx 450H -I get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.2% in the 60-90k band to 12.2% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 261 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.