2005 Lexus Rx450H — MOT failures & pass rate
408 MOT tests on the 2005 Lexus Rx450H are in this dataset, and 74.8% of them passed. That is 2.4 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.6%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (13.2%) and lighting & signalling (10.5%) 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 component mounting prescribed areas — position lamp alone was recorded 29 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 25.4% versus 18.8%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 41.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.2% | 54 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 10.5% | 43 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.1% | 41 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.9% | 20 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.4% | 18 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.4% | 18 |
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 | 29 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 19 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 18 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 17 |
| 5 | Brake discs | 15 |
| 6 | Wipers | 15 |
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 | 41.7% | 170 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.0% | 102 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.5% | 96 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.2% | 58 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 56 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.5% | 51 |
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 | 32 | 18.8% |
| 90-120k | 69 | 24.6% |
| 120-150k | 100 | 27.0% |
| 150k+ | 189 | 25.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 334 | 24.9% |
| Electric | 38 | 28.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 101 | 28.7% |
| 2022 | 92 | 28.3% |
| 2023 | 78 | 20.5% |
| 2024 | 72 | 19.4% |
| 2025 | 65 | 27.7% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Rx450H
On a 2005 Rx450H, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (13.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (10.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.1% 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 2005 Lexus Rx450Hs pass their MOT?
74.8% of the 408 2005 Lexus Rx450H MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Lexus Rx450H?
Suspension, recorded in 13.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (10.5%).
Does the 2005 Rx450H get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.8% in the 60-90k band to 25.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 408 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.