2004 Lexus Rx300 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 8,714 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Lexus Rx300, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 78.5% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 25.5% in the 150k+ group versus 8.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 11.0% | 959 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.3% | 811 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 8.9% | 778 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.0% | 432 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.7% | 326 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.5% | 304 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 404 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 369 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 344 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 330 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 281 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 263 |
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 | 42.0% | 3,661 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.3% | 2,379 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.7% | 2,154 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.5% | 1,870 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.8% | 1,200 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.1% | 1,139 |
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 | 46 | 8.7% |
| 30-60k | 330 | 15.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,317 | 16.5% |
| 90-120k | 2,901 | 20.1% |
| 120-150k | 2,567 | 24.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,540 | 25.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,413 | 21.3% |
| 2022 | 2,037 | 21.0% |
| 2023 | 1,694 | 20.6% |
| 2024 | 1,439 | 23.2% |
| 2025 | 1,131 | 21.8% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Rx300
Before buying a 2004 Lexus Rx300, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 11.0% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (11.0% 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.
- Suspension (9.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (8.9% 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 2004 Lexus Rx300s pass their MOT?
78.5% of the 8,714 2004 Lexus Rx300 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Lexus Rx300?
Brakes, recorded in 11.0% of tests, followed by suspension (9.3%).
Does the 2004 Rx300 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.7% in the 0-30k band to 25.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,714 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.