Lexus Ls Common Car Problems by Generation

At a Glance

The Lexus Ls has 5 identified common problems across 5 generations, with the XF20 (1994-2000) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 120K 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 Ls 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 Ls 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.

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Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.

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Browse Lexus Ls Generations

Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories

XF10

1 problem

1990–199413K tests

Top issue: Front suspension joint worn

XF20

4 problems

1994–200053K tests

Top issue: Front suspension joint worn

XF30

2 problems

2001–200634K tests

Top issue: Electronic stability control fault

XF40

MOT failure data available

2006–201720K tests

Most common MOT failure: Tyre condition

XF50

MOT failure data available

2018–2025465 tests

Most common MOT failure: Wiper blades deteriorated

Most Common Lexus Ls MOT Failures

Every reason Lexus Ls 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.

View:

#	Failure	Category	% of failures
1	Tyre tread depth below limit	Tyres & Wheels	10.75%
2	Suspension joint or bush worn	Suspension	9.34%
3	Brake hydraulic component worn	Brakes	6.70%
4	Tyre condition	Tyres & Wheels	6.46%
5	Wiper blades deteriorated	Bodywork	6.41%
6	Front lamp not working	Electrical	5.59%
7	Brake performance below minimum	Brakes	5.05%
8	Number plate lamp not working	Electrical	4.86%
9	Catalytic converter efficiency low	Exhaust	4.23%
10	Brake pads or linings worn	Brakes	3.91%
11	Coil spring broken or corroded	Suspension	3.90%
12	Exhaust system fault	Exhaust	3.35%
13	Stop lamp not working	Electrical	2.82%
14	Spark ignition emissions above threshold	Exhaust	1.88%
15	Position lamp not working	Electrical	1.68%
16	Windscreen washer not working	Bodywork	1.66%
17	Headlamp aim defect	Electrical	1.43%
18	Parking brake performance below minimum	Brakes	1.36%
19	Brake disc or drum worn	Brakes	1.16%
20	Parking brake condition	Brakes	1.00%
21	Shock absorber worn or leaking	Suspension	0.93%
22	Windscreen damage affecting view	Bodywork	0.93%
23	Steering rack fault	Steering	0.78%
24	Headlamp fault	Electrical	0.77%
25	Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged	Brakes	0.70%
26	Fog lamp not working	Electrical	0.69%
27	Indicator fault	Electrical	0.68%
28	Track rod end worn	Steering	0.68%
29	Battery loose or leaking	Electrical	0.65%
30	Ball joint dust cover split	Suspension	0.60%
31	Front suspension fault	Suspension	0.51%
32	Rear lamp not working	Electrical	0.47%
33	Seat belt condition	Bodywork	0.43%
34	Suspension mounting corroded	Suspension	0.41%
35	ABS fault	Brakes	0.37%
36	Rear suspension fault	Suspension	0.36%
37	Power steering pipe or hose leaking	Steering	0.35%
38	Horn not working	Electrical	0.28%
39	Body corrosion or damage	Bodywork	0.23%
40	Chassis condition	Bodywork	0.21%
41	Wheel bearing worn	Suspension	0.21%
42	Tyre size or type not matched	Tyres & Wheels	0.21%
43	Mirror damaged or missing	Bodywork	0.21%
44	Electronic stability control fault	Brakes	0.20%
45	Bonnet catch or hinge fault	Bodywork	0.18%
46	Brake pedal fault	Brakes	0.18%
47	Brake pedal movement restricted	Brakes	0.18%
48	Brake fluid leak	Brakes	0.18%
49	Flexible brake hose damaged	Brakes	0.18%
50	Front suspension joint worn	Suspension	0.18%
51	Vehicle structure corrosion	Bodywork	0.18%
52	Airbag warning light on	Bodywork	0.16%
53	Dashboard warning lamp fault	Electrical	0.15%
54	Driveshaft fault	Transmission	0.14%
55	Suspension arm worn or corroded	Suspension	0.13%
56	Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst)	Exhaust	0.13%
57	Power steering pump fault	Steering	0.13%
58	Headlamp levelling device fault	Electrical	0.12%
59	Tyre pressure monitoring system fault	Tyres & Wheels	0.12%
60	Steering lock fault	Steering	0.12%
61	Steering column fault	Steering	0.12%
62	Subframe mounting corroded	Suspension	0.12%
63	Suspension unit fault	Suspension	0.11%
64	Rear fog lamp not working	Electrical	0.10%
65	Brake caliper fault	Brakes	0.08%
66	Brake lever fault	Brakes	0.07%
67	Fuel cap damaged or missing	Fuel System	0.07%
68	Tyre valve stem damaged	Tyres & Wheels	0.07%
69	Compression ignition emissions above threshold	Exhaust	0.06%
70	Brake fluid level low or contaminated	Brakes	0.06%
71	Air suspension levelling valve fault	Suspension	0.06%
72	Suspension linkage fault	Suspension	0.05%
73	Electrical wiring fault	Electrical	0.05%
74	Power steering ram fault	Steering	0.05%
75	Steering arm worn	Steering	0.05%
76	Engine oil leak	Engine	0.04%
77	Electrical switch fault	Electrical	0.04%
78	Speedometer fault	Bodywork	0.04%
79	Steering free play excessive	Steering	0.04%
80	Subframe corrosion or damage	Suspension	0.04%
81	Fuel tank corroded or leaking	Bodywork	0.04%
82	Fuel pipe corroded or damaged	Fuel System	0.03%
83	MacPherson strut worn	Suspension	0.03%
84	Bumper damaged or insecure	Bodywork	0.03%
85	Handbrake lever fault	Brakes	0.03%
86	Spring mounting corroded	Suspension	0.03%
87	Handbrake cable fault	Brakes	0.03%
88	Brake fluid warning light on	Brakes	0.03%
89	Rear reflector damaged or missing	Electrical	0.03%
90	Suspension retaining or locking device fault	Suspension	0.03%
91	Bonded suspension condition	Suspension	0.03%
92	Brake air or vacuum system fault	Brakes	0.02%
93	Brake back plate corroded or damaged	Brakes	0.02%
94	King pin or swivel pin worn	Suspension	0.02%
95	Body security fault	Bodywork	0.02%
96	Boot lid damaged or insecure	Bodywork	0.02%
97	Tie bar or rod worn or corroded	Suspension	0.02%
98	Trailing arm worn or corroded	Suspension	0.02%
99	Anti-roll bar worn or corroded	Suspension	0.02%
100	Steering damper fault	Steering	0.02%
101	Steering operation fault	Steering	0.02%
102	Drag link end worn	Steering	0.02%
103	Driver airbag fault	Bodywork	0.01%
104	Towbar fault	Other	0.01%
105	Full power hydraulic brake fault	Brakes	0.01%
106	Steering drive system fault	Steering	0.01%
107	Access panel damaged or insecure	Bodywork	0.01%
108	Driver door fault	Bodywork	0.01%
109	Front passenger door fault	Bodywork	0.01%
110	Suspension air bellows damaged	Suspension	0.01%
111	Window damaged or won't operate	Bodywork	0.01%
112	Additional braking device fault	Brakes	<0.01%
113	Vehicle floor corroded	Bodywork	<0.01%
114	Driver seat fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
115	Passenger seat fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
116	Undertray damaged or missing	Exhaust	<0.01%
117	Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault	Brakes	<0.01%
118	Electric power steering fault	Steering	<0.01%
119	Electronic braking system fault	Brakes	<0.01%
120	Electronic parking brake fault	Brakes	<0.01%
121	Exhaust leak	Exhaust	<0.01%
122	Headlamp washer not working	Electrical	<0.01%
123	Hydraulic fluid leak	Exhaust	<0.01%
124	Propshaft fault	Transmission	<0.01%
125	Rear fog lamp warning light fault	Electrical	<0.01%
126	Steering wheel damaged or insecure	Steering	<0.01%
127	Brake master cylinder fault	Brakes	<0.01%
128	Brake servo fault	Brakes	<0.01%
129	Fuel hose damaged or leaking	Bodywork	<0.01%
130	Seat belt or padding damaged	Bodywork	<0.01%
131	Steering box fault	Steering	<0.01%
132	Stub axle worn	Suspension	<0.01%
133	Suspension rod worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
134	Torsion bar worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
135	Steering coupling worn	Steering	<0.01%
136	Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault	Suspension	<0.01%
137	Indicator warning light fault	Electrical	<0.01%
138	Main beam warning light fault	Electrical	<0.01%
139	Seat belt anchorage fault	Bodywork	<0.01%
140	Transmission oil leak	Exhaust	<0.01%
141	Brake stationary pin worn	Brakes	<0.01%
142	Engine mounting worn or broken	Bodywork	<0.01%
143	Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged	Exhaust	<0.01%
144	Handbrake fails on gradient	Brakes	<0.01%
145	Panhard rod worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
146	Radius arm worn or corroded	Suspension	<0.01%
147	Steering intermediate drop arm worn	Steering	<0.01%
148	Steering lock stop fault	Steering	<0.01%
149	Tailgate damaged or insecure	Bodywork	<0.01%
150	Universal joint worn	Steering	<0.01%
151	Speed limiter fault	Other	<0.01%

Showing all 151 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.

Lexus Ls MOT Failures by Category

Total MOT failure occurrences for the Lexus Ls, 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.

66,132total items

Brakes14,26221.6%Electrical13,49920.4%Tyres & Wheels11,65117.6%Suspension11,35617.2%Bodywork7,17010.8%Exhaust6,3989.7%Steering1,5912.4%Transmission970.1%Fuel System690.1%Engine290.0%Other100.0%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Lexus Ls problems?

Based on analysis of 120K Lexus Ls MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 5 identified common problems across 5 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Front suspension joint worn". Suspension is the most common problem category.

Which Lexus Ls generation has the most problems?

The Lexus Ls XF20 (1994-2000) (1994–2000) has the highest number of identified common problems (4). 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 Ls?

Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Lexus Ls owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.

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Lexus Ls
Common Car Problems by Generation