2006 Lexus Rx400H — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,056 MOT tests, the 2006 Lexus Rx400H recorded an 81.2% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (27.4% fail rate), the 2006 Rx400H comes out 8.6pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.6%) and suspension (8.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, pins and bushes and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 560 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 12.6% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 22.5% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 43.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 16.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.6% | 956 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.2% | 746 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.9% | 713 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.2% | 378 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.3% | 301 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.3% | 294 |
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 | 560 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 314 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 270 |
| 4 | Wipers | 258 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 233 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 230 |
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 | 43.9% | 3,976 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.3% | 2,294 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.0% | 2,267 |
| 4 | Other defects | 14.9% | 1,352 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.0% | 1,265 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.4% | 1,122 |
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 | 207 | 12.6% |
| 60-90k | 820 | 12.3% |
| 90-120k | 2,086 | 16.3% |
| 120-150k | 2,682 | 18.7% |
| 150k+ | 3,230 | 22.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 7,742 | 19.0% |
| Petrol | 446 | 16.6% |
| Other | 433 | 16.2% |
| Electric | 427 | 18.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,960 | 16.6% |
| 2022 | 1,951 | 18.4% |
| 2023 | 1,853 | 18.9% |
| 2024 | 1,747 | 20.3% |
| 2025 | 1,545 | 20.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Rx400H
On a 2006 Rx400H, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.2% 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 (7.9% 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 2006 Lexus Rx400Hs pass their MOT?
81.2% of the 9,056 2006 Lexus Rx400H MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Lexus Rx400H?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.6% of tests, followed by suspension (8.2%).
Does the 2006 Rx400H get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.6% in the 30-60k band to 22.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,056 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.