2009 Lexus Sc430 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 332 MOT tests, the 2009 Lexus Sc430 recorded an 88.9% pass rate. That is 14.3 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 25.5%. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.2%) and suspension (3.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, wipers and brake pads — shock absorbers alone was recorded 6 times.
A 60-90k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 13.3% versus 8.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 16.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.2% | 14 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.0% | 10 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.0% | 10 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.0% | 10 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.1% | 7 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 6 |
| 2 | Wipers | 6 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 5 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 5 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 5 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 4 |
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 | 16.9% | 56 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.0% | 43 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.1% | 27 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.9% | 23 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.8% | 16 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.6% | 12 |
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 | 69 | 8.7% |
| 30-60k | 142 | 10.6% |
| 60-90k | 90 | 13.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 69 | 14.5% |
| 2022 | 66 | 9.1% |
| 2023 | 66 | 9.1% |
| 2024 | 65 | 9.2% |
| 2025 | 66 | 13.6% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Sc430
On a 2009 Sc430, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.2% 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.
- Suspension (3.0% 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.
- Brakes (3.0% 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.
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 2009 Lexus Sc430s pass their MOT?
88.9% of the 332 2009 Lexus Sc430 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Lexus Sc430?
Tyres, recorded in 4.2% of tests, followed by suspension (3.0%).
Does the 2009 Sc430 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.7% in the 0-30k band to 13.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 332 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.