2001 Lexus Rx300 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,178 MOT tests on the 2001 Lexus Rx300 are in this dataset, and 74.3% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.2% of the time, so this is 1.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (12.7%) and lighting & signalling (12.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and headlamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 104 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.0% in the 30-60k band and 30.4% in the 150k+ band, a 23.5-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 40.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 12.7% | 150 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 145 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 10.6% | 125 |
| 4 | Suspension | 10.4% | 122 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.5% | 53 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.5% | 53 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 104 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 83 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 64 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 57 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 53 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 53 |
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 | 40.3% | 475 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.3% | 274 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.7% | 267 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.8% | 233 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.0% | 200 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 16.6% | 195 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 43 | 7.0% |
| 60-90k | 156 | 12.8% |
| 90-120k | 350 | 26.9% |
| 120-150k | 372 | 29.3% |
| 150k+ | 253 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 367 | 23.2% |
| 2022 | 309 | 28.2% |
| 2023 | 218 | 28.0% |
| 2024 | 157 | 26.8% |
| 2025 | 127 | 22.1% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Rx300
On a 2001 Rx300, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (12.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (10.6% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2001 Lexus Rx300s pass their MOT?
74.3% of the 1,178 2001 Lexus Rx300 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Lexus Rx300?
Brakes, recorded in 12.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.3%).
Does the 2001 Rx300 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.0% in the 30-60k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,178 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.