2009 Lexus Rx400H — MOT failures & pass rate
6,064 MOT tests on the 2009 Lexus Rx400H are in this dataset, and 84.5% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 25.5% of the time, so this is 10.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.4%) and suspension (6.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, wipers and pins and bushes — position lamp alone was recorded 333 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 20.3% versus 8.9%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 38.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 12.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.4% | 510 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.1% | 368 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.1% | 309 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.1% | 246 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.8% | 229 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.3% | 76 |
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 | 333 |
| 2 | Wipers | 159 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 156 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 147 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 128 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 107 |
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 | 38.1% | 2,309 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.9% | 1,512 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.8% | 1,380 |
| 4 | Other defects | 13.4% | 811 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.4% | 508 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.1% | 432 |
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 | 394 | 8.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,139 | 10.0% |
| 90-120k | 1,901 | 14.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,528 | 19.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,081 | 20.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 5,360 | 15.8% |
| Other | 301 | 10.3% |
| Petrol | 218 | 16.1% |
| Electric | 183 | 14.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,204 | 12.6% |
| 2022 | 1,195 | 13.6% |
| 2023 | 1,234 | 14.8% |
| 2024 | 1,249 | 18.6% |
| 2025 | 1,182 | 17.9% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Rx400H
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 8.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (8.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.1% 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 (5.1% 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
How many 2009 Lexus Rx400Hs pass their MOT?
84.5% of the 6,064 2009 Lexus Rx400H MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Lexus Rx400H?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.4% of tests, followed by suspension (6.1%).
Does the 2009 Rx400H get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 30-60k band to 20.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,064 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.