2021 Lexus Rx — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Lexus Rx passed 96.9% of its 3,493 recorded MOT tests. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 8.9% of the time, so this is 5.8pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (2.5%) and visibility (1.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, wipers and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 39 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 Rx fails 2.5% of the time in the 0-30k band and 6.3% at 60-90k, a spread of only 3.8 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.5% | 86 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.0% | 35 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 0.4% | 14 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.3% | 10 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.1% | 4 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.1% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 39 |
| 2 | Wipers | 34 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
| 4 | Brake discs | 8 |
| 5 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 6 |
| 6 | Washers | 6 |
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 | 20.3% | 710 |
| 2 | Other defects | 3.6% | 125 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.1% | 72 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.8% | 64 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.1% | 38 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.1% | 5 |
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 | 2,151 | 2.5% |
| 30-60k | 1,239 | 4.0% |
| 60-90k | 96 | 6.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 56 | 3.6% |
| 2024 | 1,726 | 2.8% |
| 2025 | 1,707 | 3.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Rx
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 2.5% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (2.5% 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 (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.
- Lighting & signalling (0.4% 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 2021 Lexus Rxs pass their MOT?
96.9% of the 3,493 2021 Lexus Rx MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 3.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Lexus Rx?
Tyres, recorded in 2.5% of tests, followed by visibility (1.0%).
Does the 2021 Rx get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.5% in the 0-30k band to 6.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,493 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.