2008 Lexus Rx450H — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,115 MOT tests, the 2008 Lexus Rx450H recorded an 83.0% pass rate. That is 9.3 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.4%) and suspension (9.0%) 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 shock absorbers — position lamp alone was recorded 69 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.0% in the 30-60k band and 18.2% in the 150k+ band, a 13.2-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 39.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.4% | 105 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.0% | 100 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.3% | 70 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.4% | 49 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.2% | 47 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.1% | 24 |
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 | 69 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 43 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 37 |
| 4 | Wipers | 36 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 29 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 29 |
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% | 438 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.4% | 272 |
| 3 | Brakes | 21.7% | 242 |
| 4 | Other defects | 13.2% | 147 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 10.9% | 122 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.6% | 118 |
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 | 40 | 5.0% |
| 60-90k | 128 | 15.6% |
| 90-120k | 296 | 16.6% |
| 120-150k | 342 | 18.1% |
| 150k+ | 307 | 18.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 942 | 17.2% |
| Electric | 63 | 14.3% |
| Petrol | 58 | 15.5% |
| Other | 50 | 18.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 248 | 16.5% |
| 2022 | 230 | 17.8% |
| 2023 | 239 | 18.4% |
| 2024 | 205 | 14.6% |
| 2025 | 193 | 17.1% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Rx450H
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 9.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (9.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.0% 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 (6.3% 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 2008 Lexus Rx450Hs pass their MOT?
83.0% of the 1,115 2008 Lexus Rx450H MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Lexus Rx450H?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.4% of tests, followed by suspension (9.0%).
Does the 2008 Rx450H get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.0% in the 30-60k band to 18.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,115 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.