2005 Lexus Rx400 H — MOT failures & pass rate
442 MOT tests on the 2005 Lexus Rx400 H are in this dataset, and 80.1% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.6% fail rate), the 2005 Rx400 H comes out 7.7pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.5% of all tests — 7.7 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and headlamp — position lamp alone was recorded 40 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.9% in the 90-120k band and 22.7% in the 150k+ band, a 10.7-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 41.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.5% | 73 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.8% | 39 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.0% | 31 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.3% | 19 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.3% | 19 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.9% | 13 |
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 | 40 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 33 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 22 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 16 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 15 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 14 |
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 | 41.4% | 183 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.2% | 116 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.9% | 101 |
| 4 | Other defects | 17.6% | 78 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.9% | 57 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.0% | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 90-120k | 67 | 11.9% |
| 120-150k | 134 | 19.4% |
| 150k+ | 225 | 22.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 363 | 21.2% |
| Electric | 35 | 11.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 102 | 14.7% |
| 2022 | 100 | 21.0% |
| 2023 | 91 | 23.1% |
| 2024 | 85 | 25.9% |
| 2025 | 64 | 14.1% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Rx400 H
On a 2005 Rx400 H, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.8% 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 (7.0% 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.
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 2005 Lexus Rx400 Hs pass their MOT?
80.1% of the 442 2005 Lexus Rx400 H MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Lexus Rx400 H?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.5% of tests, followed by suspension (8.8%).
Does the 2005 Rx400 H get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.9% in the 90-120k band to 22.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 442 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.