2002 Lexus Rx300 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,591 MOT tests, the 2002 Lexus Rx300 recorded a 73.1% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (27.5% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.3%) and brakes (12.8%) 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 167 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 30.0% versus 21.6%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 25.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.3% | 211 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.8% | 203 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 11.1% | 176 |
| 4 | Suspension | 9.4% | 149 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.8% | 92 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.2% | 66 |
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 | 167 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 105 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 92 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 73 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 72 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 67 |
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 | 35.1% | 559 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.8% | 395 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.5% | 358 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.3% | 339 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.4% | 293 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.9% | 253 |
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 | 51 | 21.6% |
| 60-90k | 211 | 22.3% |
| 90-120k | 496 | 26.6% |
| 120-150k | 489 | 27.6% |
| 150k+ | 337 | 30.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 504 | 25.4% |
| 2022 | 392 | 25.5% |
| 2023 | 297 | 26.3% |
| 2024 | 226 | 30.5% |
| 2025 | 172 | 30.8% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Rx300
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.8% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (11.1% 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 2002 Lexus Rx300s pass their MOT?
73.1% of the 1,591 2002 Lexus Rx300 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Lexus Rx300?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.3% of tests, followed by brakes (12.8%).
Does the 2002 Rx300 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.6% in the 30-60k band to 30.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,591 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.