At a Glance
Lexus has 45 identified common problems across 18 models, with the Is being the most affected model and tyres & wheels the most common problem category. Based on 2.2M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we identify common car problems →
Below: per-model breakdowns of Lexus common problems, MOT failure rates by category, pass-rate data, and repair patterns drawn from 2.2M DVSA MOT tests across 20 years. Click any model to see generation-specific issues, mileage-banded fault patterns, and the most common MOT failures recorded by UK testers.
MOT Tests & Failures by Model
Top Lexus models by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that model's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Lexus Common Problems by Model
Select a model to see problems by generation
Showing top 9 by MOT test volume — search to find any of 18 Lexus models.
Is
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
Rx
Most common: Brakes
Ct
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
Gs
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
Ls
Most common: Suspension
Nx
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
Sc
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
Ux
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
Rc
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
Most Common Lexus MOT Failures
Every reason Lexus vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 12.56% |
| 2 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 9.53% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 8.70% |
| 4 | Brake pads or linings worn | 6.59% |
| 5 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 5.12% |
| 6 | Number plate lamp not working | 5.09% |
| 7 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.72% |
| 8 | Position lamp not working | 3.55% |
| 9 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.94% |
| 10 | Front lamp not working | 2.86% |
| 11 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.61% |
| 12 | Headlamp fault | 2.37% |
| 13 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.20% |
| 14 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.86% |
| 15 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.85% |
| 16 | Exhaust system fault | 1.77% |
| 17 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.76% |
| 18 | Stop lamp not working | 1.72% |
| 19 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 1.55% |
| 20 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.51% |
| 21 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.45% |
| 22 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 1.36% |
| 23 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.20% |
| 24 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.15% |
| 25 | Parking brake condition | 0.84% |
| 26 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.72% |
| 27 | Fog lamp not working | 0.59% |
| 28 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.57% |
| 29 | Track rod end worn | 0.51% |
| 30 | ABS fault | 0.51% |
| 31 | Rear lamp not working | 0.50% |
| 32 | Indicator fault | 0.50% |
| 33 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.46% |
| 34 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.46% |
| 35 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.41% |
| 36 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.37% |
| 37 | Seat belt condition | 0.36% |
| 38 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.34% |
| 39 | Front suspension fault | 0.32% |
| 40 | Driveshaft fault | 0.30% |
| 41 | Horn not working | 0.30% |
| 42 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.28% |
| 43 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.26% |
| 44 | Steering rack fault | 0.24% |
| 45 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.24% |
| 46 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.23% |
| 47 | Brake caliper fault | 0.22% |
| 48 | Chassis condition | 0.21% |
| 49 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.21% |
| 50 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.21% |
| 51 | Brake lever fault | 0.21% |
| 52 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.21% |
| 53 | Airbag warning light on | 0.20% |
| 54 | Brake pedal fault | 0.20% |
| 55 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.19% |
| 56 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.17% |
| 57 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.16% |
| 58 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.15% |
| 59 | Rear suspension fault | 0.15% |
| 60 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.12% |
| 61 | Steering lock fault | 0.12% |
| 62 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.12% |
| 63 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.11% |
| 64 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.10% |
| 65 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.10% |
| 66 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.09% |
| 67 | Brake fluid leak | 0.07% |
| 68 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.06% |
| 69 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.06% |
| 70 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.06% |
| 71 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.06% |
| 72 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.06% |
| 73 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.06% |
| 74 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.05% |
| 75 | Suspension unit fault | 0.05% |
| 76 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.04% |
| 77 | Engine oil leak | 0.04% |
| 78 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.03% |
| 79 | Power steering pump fault | 0.03% |
| 80 | Steering arm worn | 0.03% |
| 81 | Electrical switch fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Body security fault | 0.03% |
| 83 | Steering operation fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 85 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 86 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 87 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 88 | Steering column fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 90 | Steering free play excessive | 0.02% |
| 91 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 92 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.02% |
| 93 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 95 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 96 | Driver door fault | 0.01% |
| 97 | Drag link end worn | 0.01% |
| 98 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 99 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.01% |
| 100 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | 0.01% |
| 101 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.01% |
| 102 | Driver airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | Propshaft fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Power steering ram fault | 0.01% |
| 105 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 107 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 109 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 111 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 114 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 115 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 116 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 118 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 119 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 120 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 123 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 125 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 128 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 129 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 132 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 133 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 135 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 136 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 138 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 143 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 146 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 148 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 149 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 151 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 152 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 154 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 157 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 161 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 162 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 163 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 164 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 168 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 170 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 174 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 176 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 178 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 180 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 182 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 185 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 186 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 187 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 188 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 189 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 190 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 191 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 192 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 192 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Lexus MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for Lexus, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Lexus problems?
Based on analysis of 2.2M Lexus MOT tests from DVSA data, Lexus has 45 identified common problems across 18 models. The Lexus Is has the most recorded problems. Tyres & Wheels issues are the most common category.
Which Lexus model has the most problems?
By total identified common problems, the Lexus Is has the highest count with 11 problems. This is partly because it is one of the more popular Lexus models on UK roads. See the models grid for a full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Lexus?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Lexus owners spot problems early. We review all submissions before they are published.
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