2017 Lexus Rx — MOT failures & pass rate
10,118 MOT tests on the 2017 Lexus Rx are in this dataset, and 95.4% of them passed. Against large SUVs of a similar age (11.3% fail rate), the 2017 Rx comes out 6.7pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.1%) and lighting & signalling (1.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 186 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2017 Rx fails 3.0% of the time in the 0-30k band and 5.6% at 120-150k, a spread of only 2.5 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 4.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 6.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.1% | 317 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 165 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.0% | 103 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.7% | 72 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.4% | 42 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.2% | 24 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 186 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 119 |
| 3 | Wipers | 103 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 48 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 39 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 36 |
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 | 20.1% | 2,038 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.6% | 671 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.0% | 612 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.0% | 402 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 255 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.3% | 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 | 2,303 | 3.0% |
| 30-60k | 5,368 | 4.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,943 | 5.7% |
| 90-120k | 410 | 6.6% |
| 120-150k | 72 | 5.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,166 | 4.2% |
| 2022 | 2,114 | 3.5% |
| 2023 | 2,006 | 3.8% |
| 2024 | 1,954 | 5.6% |
| 2025 | 1,878 | 6.0% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Rx
On a 2017 Rx, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.0% 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.
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 Rxs pass their MOT?
95.4% of the 10,118 2017 Lexus Rx MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Lexus Rx?
Tyres, recorded in 3.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.6%).
Does the 2017 Rx get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.0% in the 0-30k band to 5.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,118 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.