2007 Lexus Rx450H — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Lexus Rx450H passed 80.5% of its 1,018 recorded MOT tests. That is 7.3 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.1%) and brakes (8.8%) 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 52 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 22.1% versus 16.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 40.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 18.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.1% | 103 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.8% | 90 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.6% | 87 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.1% | 42 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.5% | 36 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.5% | 25 |
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 | 52 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 43 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 37 |
| 4 | Brake discs | 35 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 27 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 25 |
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 | 40.8% | 415 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.6% | 281 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.6% | 240 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.4% | 116 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.4% | 106 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.7% | 99 |
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 | 81 | 16.1% |
| 90-120k | 223 | 16.1% |
| 120-150k | 330 | 20.3% |
| 150k+ | 362 | 22.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 864 | 19.9% |
| Electric | 56 | 19.6% |
| Petrol | 55 | 10.9% |
| Other | 41 | 21.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 230 | 18.3% |
| 2022 | 217 | 20.3% |
| 2023 | 213 | 19.7% |
| 2024 | 186 | 19.9% |
| 2025 | 172 | 19.8% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Rx450H
On a 2007 Rx450H, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.8% 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 (8.6% 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 2007 Lexus Rx450Hs pass their MOT?
80.5% of the 1,018 2007 Lexus Rx450H MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Lexus Rx450H?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.1% of tests, followed by brakes (8.8%).
Does the 2007 Rx450H get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.1% in the 60-90k band to 22.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,018 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.