2004 Lexus Sc430 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 Lexus Sc430 passed 81.6% of its 1,384 recorded MOT tests. That is 9.3 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.6%) and brakes (6.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, malfunction indicator lamp and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 56 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.7% in the 0-30k band and 25.0% in the 150k+ band, a 19.3-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 22.5% 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 | 7.6% | 105 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.3% | 87 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.1% | 85 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.7% | 79 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.0% | 55 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.8% | 53 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 56 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 55 |
| 3 | Wipers | 46 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 40 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 35 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 33 |
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 | 22.5% | 311 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.8% | 232 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.6% | 230 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.9% | 123 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.6% | 78 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.8% | 66 |
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 | 53 | 5.7% |
| 30-60k | 207 | 14.5% |
| 60-90k | 467 | 16.3% |
| 90-120k | 379 | 22.2% |
| 120-150k | 198 | 21.2% |
| 150k+ | 80 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 291 | 17.9% |
| 2022 | 284 | 17.3% |
| 2023 | 272 | 19.9% |
| 2024 | 271 | 18.4% |
| 2025 | 266 | 18.8% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Sc430
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 7.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (7.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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.
- Suspension (6.1% 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.
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 2004 Lexus Sc430s pass their MOT?
81.6% of the 1,384 2004 Lexus Sc430 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Lexus Sc430?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.6% of tests, followed by brakes (6.3%).
Does the 2004 Sc430 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.7% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,384 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.