2002 Lexus Sc430 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,157 MOT tests, the 2002 Lexus Sc430 recorded an 82.4% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.4% of the time, so this is 9.8pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.2%) and brakes (6.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, position lamp and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 81 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.1% in the 0-30k band and 25.9% in the 150k+ band, a 16.8-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 19.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 19.0% in 2021 to 15.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.2% | 155 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.6% | 142 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 5.6% | 121 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.1% | 109 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.9% | 106 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.3% | 70 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 81 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 70 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 64 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 63 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 54 |
| 6 | Electronic stability control | 52 |
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 | 19.7% | 424 |
| 2 | Tyres | 19.5% | 421 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.7% | 360 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.5% | 248 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.0% | 172 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 5.8% | 125 |
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 | 33 | 9.1% |
| 30-60k | 271 | 11.1% |
| 60-90k | 613 | 13.7% |
| 90-120k | 628 | 19.4% |
| 120-150k | 390 | 21.5% |
| 150k+ | 220 | 25.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 448 | 19.0% |
| 2022 | 454 | 18.5% |
| 2023 | 447 | 19.5% |
| 2024 | 416 | 14.9% |
| 2025 | 392 | 15.8% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Sc430
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 7.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (7.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.6% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (5.6% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2002 Lexus Sc430s pass their MOT?
82.4% of the 2,157 2002 Lexus Sc430 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Lexus Sc430?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.2% of tests, followed by brakes (6.6%).
Does the 2002 Sc430 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.1% in the 0-30k band to 25.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,157 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.