2011 Lexus Rx450H — MOT failures & pass rate
9,631 MOT tests on the 2011 Lexus Rx450H are in this dataset, and 85.6% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (23.2% fail rate), the 2011 Rx450H comes out 8.8pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.8%) and suspension (6.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, tread depth and wipers — position lamp alone was recorded 797 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 4.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 20.3% once past 150k — 4.3× the risk.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 32.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 12.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 843 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.7% | 640 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.1% | 399 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.3% | 317 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.2% | 310 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.5% | 50 |
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 | 797 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 234 |
| 3 | Wipers | 225 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 201 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 193 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 161 |
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 | 32.2% | 3,098 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.5% | 2,363 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.3% | 1,662 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.1% | 972 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.7% | 449 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.2% | 400 |
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 | 63 | 4.8% |
| 30-60k | 931 | 10.5% |
| 60-90k | 2,908 | 12.2% |
| 90-120k | 3,018 | 14.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,712 | 17.5% |
| 150k+ | 998 | 20.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 8,639 | 14.6% |
| Other | 450 | 12.2% |
| Electric | 277 | 13.4% |
| Petrol | 261 | 10.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,898 | 12.1% |
| 2022 | 1,943 | 13.4% |
| 2023 | 1,933 | 14.2% |
| 2024 | 1,924 | 14.5% |
| 2025 | 1,933 | 17.5% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Rx450H
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 8.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (8.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.7% 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 (4.1% 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 2011 Lexus Rx450Hs pass their MOT?
85.6% of the 9,631 2011 Lexus Rx450H MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Lexus Rx450H?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.8% of tests, followed by suspension (6.7%).
Does the 2011 Rx450H get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.8% in the 0-30k band to 20.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,631 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.