2006 Lexus Rx450H — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 738 MOT tests, the 2006 Lexus Rx450H recorded an 82.3% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.4% of the time, so this is 9.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.8%) and brakes (9.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, rbt (sp) and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 40 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 16.9% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 21.4% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 39.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 20.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 80 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.1% | 67 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.3% | 54 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.2% | 31 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.7% | 27 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.9% | 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 | 40 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 27 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 24 |
| 4 | Wipers | 24 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 22 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 21 |
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 | 39.3% | 290 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.5% | 210 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.2% | 171 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.9% | 95 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.6% | 71 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.2% | 68 |
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 | 71 | 16.9% |
| 90-120k | 131 | 12.2% |
| 120-150k | 249 | 17.3% |
| 150k+ | 276 | 21.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 608 | 16.9% |
| Electric | 49 | 24.5% |
| Petrol | 48 | 22.9% |
| Other | 31 | 12.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 167 | 20.4% |
| 2022 | 154 | 14.9% |
| 2023 | 146 | 13.0% |
| 2024 | 144 | 18.1% |
| 2025 | 127 | 22.8% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Rx450H
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.1% 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.
- Suspension (7.3% 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.
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 Rx450Hs pass their MOT?
82.3% of the 738 2006 Lexus Rx450H MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Lexus Rx450H?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.8% of tests, followed by brakes (9.1%).
Does the 2006 Rx450H get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.9% in the 60-90k band to 21.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 738 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.