2008 Lexus Rx400 H -L — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 382 MOT tests, the 2008 Lexus Rx400 H -L recorded an 85.9% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (26.3% fail rate), the 2008 Rx400 H -L comes out 12.2pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.6%) and suspension (6.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and shock absorbers — position lamp alone was recorded 21 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 13.3% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 18.3% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 16.3% in 2021 to 13.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 33 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.5% | 25 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.8% | 22 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.1% | 12 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 11 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.1% | 8 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 21 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 15 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 12 |
| 4 | Wipers | 11 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 10 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 10 |
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 | 36.9% | 141 |
| 2 | Tyres | 22.5% | 86 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.0% | 65 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.5% | 40 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 33 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 27 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 45 | 13.3% |
| 90-120k | 118 | 13.6% |
| 120-150k | 89 | 12.4% |
| 150k+ | 104 | 18.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 80 | 16.3% |
| 2022 | 73 | 8.2% |
| 2023 | 84 | 15.5% |
| 2024 | 76 | 17.1% |
| 2025 | 69 | 13.0% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Rx400 H -L
On a 2008 Rx400 H -L, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.5% 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.
- Brakes (5.8% 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.
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 Rx400 H -Ls pass their MOT?
85.9% of the 382 2008 Lexus Rx400 H -L MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Lexus Rx400 H -L?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.6% of tests, followed by suspension (6.5%).
Does the 2008 Rx400 H -L get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.3% in the 60-90k band to 18.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 382 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.