2013 Lexus Rx — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2013 Lexus Rx passed 90.0% of its 1,313 recorded MOT tests. That is 6.5 percentage points better than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 16.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.0%) and tyres (4.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, wipers and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 33 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.1% in the 0-30k band and 24.5% in the 150k+ band, a 15.4-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 23.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 9.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 11.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.0% | 53 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.0% | 52 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.1% | 41 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.0% | 26 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.6% | 21 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.3% | 4 |
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 | 33 |
| 2 | Wipers | 22 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 21 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 19 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 18 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 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 | 23.3% | 306 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.2% | 226 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.5% | 217 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.2% | 68 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.9% | 51 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 33 |
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 | 44 | 9.1% |
| 30-60k | 334 | 10.2% |
| 60-90k | 486 | 8.2% |
| 90-120k | 285 | 11.2% |
| 120-150k | 115 | 7.8% |
| 150k+ | 49 | 24.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 263 | 9.1% |
| 2022 | 266 | 9.8% |
| 2023 | 267 | 9.0% |
| 2024 | 255 | 10.2% |
| 2025 | 262 | 11.8% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Rx
On a 2013 Rx, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (4.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.0% 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.
- Suspension (3.1% 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.
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 2013 Lexus Rxs pass their MOT?
90.0% of the 1,313 2013 Lexus Rx MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Lexus Rx?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.0% of tests, followed by tyres (4.0%).
Does the 2013 Rx get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.1% in the 0-30k band to 24.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,313 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.