2008 Lexus Sc430 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Lexus Sc430 passed 86.3% of its 313 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 26.4% of the time, so this is 12.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.4%) and visibility (4.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, shock absorbers and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 15 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2008 Sc430 fails 12.9% of the time in the 30-60k band and 9.5% at 90-120k, a spread of only 3.4 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 8.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.4% | 17 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.8% | 15 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.2% | 13 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.8% | 12 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.5% | 11 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 5 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 15 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 10 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 7 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 7 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 6 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 6 |
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 | 25.9% | 81 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.9% | 53 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.0% | 47 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.7% | 24 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 5.8% | 18 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.2% | 7 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 116 | 12.9% |
| 60-90k | 100 | 15.0% |
| 90-120k | 42 | 9.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 61 | 8.2% |
| 2022 | 58 | 10.3% |
| 2023 | 62 | 16.1% |
| 2024 | 66 | 15.2% |
| 2025 | 66 | 18.2% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Sc430
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 5.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (5.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (4.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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.
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 2008 Lexus Sc430s pass their MOT?
86.3% of the 313 2008 Lexus Sc430 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Lexus Sc430?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.4% of tests, followed by visibility (4.8%).
Does the 2008 Sc430 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.9% in the 30-60k band to 9.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 313 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.