2007 Lexus Sc430 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 949 MOT tests, the 2007 Lexus Sc430 recorded an 85.7% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 26.9% of the time, so this is 12.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 7.6% of all tests — 3.5 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and shock absorbers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 37 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 23.5% versus 4.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 19.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 16.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.6% | 72 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.1% | 39 |
| 3 | Tyres | 3.6% | 34 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.3% | 31 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.3% | 22 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.3% | 22 |
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 | 37 |
| 2 | Wipers | 22 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 20 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 19 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 15 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 15 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 19.2% | 182 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.0% | 180 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.3% | 155 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.2% | 78 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.2% | 40 |
| 6 | Other defects | 2.9% | 28 |
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 | 41 | 4.9% |
| 30-60k | 351 | 11.7% |
| 60-90k | 337 | 14.8% |
| 90-120k | 135 | 19.3% |
| 120-150k | 50 | 18.0% |
| 150k+ | 34 | 23.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 205 | 16.1% |
| 2022 | 189 | 14.3% |
| 2023 | 183 | 13.7% |
| 2024 | 176 | 9.1% |
| 2025 | 196 | 17.9% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Sc430
On a 2007 Sc430, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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 (4.1% 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.
- Tyres (3.6% 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 2007 Lexus Sc430s pass their MOT?
85.7% of the 949 2007 Lexus Sc430 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Lexus Sc430?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.6% of tests, followed by brakes (4.1%).
Does the 2007 Sc430 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.9% in the 0-30k band to 23.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 949 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.