2018 Lexus Rx — MOT failures & pass rate
9,559 MOT tests on the 2018 Lexus Rx are in this dataset, and 96.2% of them passed. Against large SUVs of a similar age (10.3% fail rate), the 2018 Rx comes out 6.5pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (2.8%) and visibility (0.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, tread depth and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 81 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 2.7% in the 0-30k band and 6.7% in the 90-120k band, a 4.0-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 18.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 3.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 5.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.8% | 267 |
| 2 | Visibility | 0.9% | 86 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 81 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.5% | 45 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.2% | 23 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.2% | 22 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 81 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 77 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 66 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 38 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 26 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 24 |
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 | 18.8% | 1,794 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.5% | 435 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.2% | 405 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.4% | 326 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.7% | 259 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.1% | 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 | 3,738 | 2.7% |
| 30-60k | 4,524 | 4.0% |
| 60-90k | 1,097 | 6.2% |
| 90-120k | 164 | 6.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,102 | 3.0% |
| 2022 | 2,034 | 3.5% |
| 2023 | 1,899 | 3.2% |
| 2024 | 1,774 | 4.2% |
| 2025 | 1,750 | 5.1% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Rx
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 2.8% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (2.8% 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 (0.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (0.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2018 Lexus Rxs pass their MOT?
96.2% of the 9,559 2018 Lexus Rx MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 3.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Lexus Rx?
Tyres, recorded in 2.8% of tests, followed by visibility (0.9%).
Does the 2018 Rx get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.7% in the 0-30k band to 6.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,559 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.