At a Glance
The Lexus Is has 11 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the XE10 (1999-2005) being the most affected generation and tyres & wheels the most common problem category. Based on 903K 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 our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Lexus Is common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Lexus Is generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Lexus Is Generations
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Most Common Lexus Is MOT Failures
Every reason Lexus Is 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 | 15.16% |
| 2 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 10.21% |
| 3 | Tyre condition | 6.91% |
| 4 | Brake pads or linings worn | 6.39% |
| 5 | Number plate lamp not working | 5.73% |
| 6 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 4.29% |
| 7 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 3.53% |
| 8 | Brake performance below minimum | 3.43% |
| 9 | Position lamp not working | 3.35% |
| 10 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.15% |
| 11 | Headlamp fault | 3.05% |
| 12 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.41% |
| 13 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.25% |
| 14 | Front suspension joint worn | 2.18% |
| 15 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 1.88% |
| 16 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.88% |
| 17 | Front lamp not working | 1.80% |
| 18 | Stop lamp not working | 1.57% |
| 19 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.54% |
| 20 | Exhaust system fault | 1.27% |
| 21 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.26% |
| 22 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.97% |
| 23 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 0.95% |
| 24 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.86% |
| 25 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.71% |
| 26 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.67% |
| 27 | Track rod end worn | 0.61% |
| 28 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.61% |
| 29 | Fog lamp not working | 0.60% |
| 30 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.54% |
| 31 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.52% |
| 32 | ABS fault | 0.51% |
| 33 | Indicator fault | 0.49% |
| 34 | Front suspension fault | 0.49% |
| 35 | Parking brake condition | 0.39% |
| 36 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.37% |
| 37 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.36% |
| 38 | Horn not working | 0.33% |
| 39 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.33% |
| 40 | Seat belt condition | 0.33% |
| 41 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.33% |
| 42 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.32% |
| 43 | Rear lamp not working | 0.32% |
| 44 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.31% |
| 45 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.31% |
| 46 | Brake pedal fault | 0.29% |
| 47 | Chassis condition | 0.28% |
| 48 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.26% |
| 49 | Airbag warning light on | 0.24% |
| 50 | Steering rack fault | 0.21% |
| 51 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.19% |
| 52 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.19% |
| 53 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.19% |
| 54 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.16% |
| 55 | Brake caliper fault | 0.15% |
| 56 | Driveshaft fault | 0.15% |
| 57 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.15% |
| 58 | Brake lever fault | 0.14% |
| 59 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.13% |
| 60 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.13% |
| 61 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.12% |
| 62 | Steering lock fault | 0.11% |
| 63 | Brake fluid leak | 0.07% |
| 64 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.07% |
| 65 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.06% |
| 66 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.06% |
| 67 | Rear suspension fault | 0.06% |
| 68 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.06% |
| 69 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.06% |
| 70 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.05% |
| 71 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.04% |
| 72 | Steering operation fault | 0.04% |
| 73 | Body security fault | 0.04% |
| 74 | Steering arm worn | 0.04% |
| 75 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.04% |
| 76 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 77 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.03% |
| 78 | Engine oil leak | 0.03% |
| 79 | Electrical switch fault | 0.03% |
| 80 | Driver seat fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 82 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 83 | Steering free play excessive | 0.02% |
| 84 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 85 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 86 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.02% |
| 87 | Driver door fault | 0.02% |
| 88 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 90 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 92 | Steering drive system fault | 0.01% |
| 93 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.01% |
| 94 | Driver airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 95 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 96 | Drag link end worn | 0.01% |
| 97 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 98 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 99 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 100 | Handbrake cable fault | <0.01% |
| 101 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 102 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 103 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 104 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 105 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 106 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 107 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 110 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 112 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 113 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 115 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 116 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 118 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 119 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 120 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 121 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 127 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 128 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 130 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 131 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 132 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 136 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 138 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 140 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 143 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 144 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 146 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 147 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 149 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 150 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 151 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 152 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 153 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 161 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 168 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 169 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 172 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 173 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 179 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 180 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 181 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 181 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Lexus Is MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Lexus Is, 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 Is problems?
Based on analysis of 903K Lexus Is MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 11 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Tyre condition". Tyres & Wheels is the most common problem category.
Which Lexus Is generation has the most problems?
The Lexus Is XE10 (1999-2005) (1999–2005) has the highest number of identified common problems (11). Click the generation card above for the 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 Is?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Lexus Is owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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