Lexus Rx400 H MOT pass rate & common failures
The Lexus Rx400 H appears in 2,771 MOT tests spanning model years 2005–2013, and 80.8% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.0% of the time, so this is 7.8pp better than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.2% of tests against 8.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, pins and bushes and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 191 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 5.1% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 22.0% once past 150k — 4.3× the risk.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 42.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 16.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Rx400 H model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 442 | 80.1% | 19.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2006 | 696 | 80.8% | 19.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2007 | 843 | 81.6% | 18.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2008 | 783 | 80.2% | 19.8% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 339 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.3% | 229 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.1% | 197 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.1% | 114 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.0% | 83 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.6% | 73 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 34 |
| 8 | Steering | 0.8% | 21 |
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 | 191 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 114 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 102 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 84 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 82 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 73 |
| 7 | Rbt (sp) | 68 |
| 8 | Wipers | 64 |
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 | 42.4% | 1,176 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.1% | 724 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.7% | 656 |
| 4 | Other defects | 15.0% | 416 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.8% | 328 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.7% | 297 |
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 | 39 | 5.1% |
| 60-90k | 238 | 18.5% |
| 90-120k | 602 | 17.8% |
| 120-150k | 826 | 17.7% |
| 150k+ | 1,051 | 22.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 2,333 | 19.7% |
| Electric | 167 | 13.8% |
| Petrol | 164 | 19.5% |
| Other | 99 | 16.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 601 | 16.8% |
| 2022 | 592 | 18.6% |
| 2023 | 553 | 18.3% |
| 2024 | 547 | 21.8% |
| 2025 | 478 | 21.1% |
What to check before buying a Lexus Rx400 H
- Lighting & signalling (12.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.3% 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.
- Brakes (7.1% 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.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Lexus Rx400 H?
80.8% of the 2,771 Lexus Rx400 H MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 19.2% fail rate, across model years 2005–2013.
What does the Lexus Rx400 H most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.2% of tests, then suspension (8.3%).
How much does mileage affect Rx400 H MOT results?
Fail rates run at 5.1% for cars in the 30-60k band and 22.0% for 150k+, a 16.8-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,771 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.