2012 Lexus Rx450H — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,968 MOT tests, the 2012 Lexus Rx450H recorded an 88.5% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 21.7% of the time, so this is 10.3pp 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 (6.7%) and suspension (4.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, wipers and brake pads — position lamp alone was recorded 355 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.8% in the 0-30k band and 17.2% in the 150k+ band, a 10.4-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 25.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 9.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 13.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.7% | 397 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.2% | 251 |
| 3 | Tyres | 3.9% | 231 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.1% | 185 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.5% | 146 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.4% | 27 |
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 | 355 |
| 2 | Wipers | 146 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 99 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 95 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 91 |
| 6 | Washers | 75 |
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 | 25.9% | 1,546 |
| 2 | Tyres | 22.9% | 1,369 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.0% | 1,016 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.2% | 489 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.1% | 247 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.4% | 205 |
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 | 59 | 6.8% |
| 30-60k | 861 | 7.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,273 | 9.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,700 | 12.4% |
| 120-150k | 772 | 17.4% |
| 150k+ | 303 | 17.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 5,360 | 11.7% |
| Other | 272 | 8.5% |
| Electric | 174 | 12.1% |
| Petrol | 159 | 8.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,183 | 9.5% |
| 2022 | 1,207 | 11.8% |
| 2023 | 1,188 | 10.5% |
| 2024 | 1,208 | 12.3% |
| 2025 | 1,182 | 13.3% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Rx450H
On a 2012 Rx450H, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (4.2% 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 (3.9% 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 2012 Lexus Rx450Hs pass their MOT?
88.5% of the 5,968 2012 Lexus Rx450H MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Lexus Rx450H?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.7% of tests, followed by suspension (4.2%).
Does the 2012 Rx450H get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.8% in the 0-30k band to 17.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,968 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.