2009 Lexus Rx450H — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Lexus Rx450H passed 84.0% of its 6,646 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 25.5% of the time, so this is 9.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.5%) and suspension (7.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and shock absorbers — position lamp alone was recorded 501 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.1% in the 0-30k band and 19.0% in the 150k+ band, a 7.9-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 34.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.5% | 563 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.5% | 499 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.1% | 336 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.5% | 235 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.1% | 205 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.9% | 61 |
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 | 501 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 165 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 160 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 158 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 153 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 139 |
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 | 34.3% | 2,281 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.6% | 1,632 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.4% | 1,160 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.8% | 784 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 5.1% | 336 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.1% | 272 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 36 | 11.1% |
| 30-60k | 280 | 11.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,331 | 13.2% |
| 90-120k | 2,062 | 15.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,709 | 17.5% |
| 150k+ | 1,228 | 19.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 5,869 | 16.1% |
| Other | 342 | 15.2% |
| Electric | 222 | 15.8% |
| Petrol | 204 | 16.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,357 | 15.7% |
| 2022 | 1,339 | 15.2% |
| 2023 | 1,358 | 16.6% |
| 2024 | 1,321 | 15.9% |
| 2025 | 1,271 | 16.8% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Rx450H
On a 2009 Rx450H, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.5% 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.
- Tyres (5.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 Rx450Hs pass their MOT?
84.0% of the 6,646 2009 Lexus Rx450H MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Lexus Rx450H?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.5% of tests, followed by suspension (7.5%).
Does the 2009 Rx450H get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.1% in the 0-30k band to 19.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,646 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.