2008 Lexus Rx350 — MOT failures & pass rate
573 MOT tests on the 2008 Lexus Rx350 are in this dataset, and 81.8% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 26.2% of the time, so this is 8.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (10.1%) and lighting & signalling (9.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and brake pads — headlamp aim alone was recorded 27 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 28.9% versus 6.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 10.1% | 58 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.6% | 55 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.4% | 31 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.5% | 26 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.3% | 19 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.3% | 13 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 27 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 22 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 18 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 18 |
| 5 | Decelerometer (sp) | 14 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 13 |
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 | 37.5% | 215 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.1% | 144 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.3% | 139 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 11.9% | 68 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 53 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.3% | 53 |
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 | 49 | 6.1% |
| 60-90k | 153 | 17.0% |
| 90-120k | 199 | 19.6% |
| 120-150k | 110 | 18.2% |
| 150k+ | 45 | 28.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 132 | 18.2% |
| 2022 | 116 | 11.2% |
| 2023 | 117 | 20.5% |
| 2024 | 115 | 22.6% |
| 2025 | 93 | 18.3% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Rx350
On a 2008 Rx350, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (10.1% 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 (9.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.4% 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.
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 2008 Lexus Rx350s pass their MOT?
81.8% of the 573 2008 Lexus Rx350 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Lexus Rx350?
Brakes, recorded in 10.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.6%).
Does the 2008 Rx350 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 30-60k band to 28.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 573 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.