At a Glance
The Lexus Rx has 9 identified common problems across 5 generations, with the XU30 (2003-2009) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 542K 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 Rx 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 Rx 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 Rx Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
RX Mk1 (XU10 / RX300)
XU30
Top issue: Brake performance below minimum
AL10
Top issue: Headlamp washer not working
AL20
Most common MOT failure: Tyre condition
AL30
Most common MOT failure: Headlamp fault
Most Common Lexus Rx MOT Failures
Every reason Lexus Rx 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 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 10.85% |
| 2 | Tyre condition | 9.37% |
| 3 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 8.01% |
| 4 | Brake pads or linings worn | 7.53% |
| 5 | Brake performance below minimum | 6.64% |
| 6 | Position lamp not working | 6.15% |
| 7 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 5.10% |
| 8 | Ball joint dust cover split | 3.89% |
| 9 | Number plate lamp not working | 3.64% |
| 10 | Front lamp not working | 3.36% |
| 11 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.72% |
| 12 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.49% |
| 13 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 2.46% |
| 14 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 2.04% |
| 15 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.00% |
| 16 | Headlamp fault | 1.82% |
| 17 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.79% |
| 18 | Exhaust system fault | 1.68% |
| 19 | Parking brake condition | 1.54% |
| 20 | Stop lamp not working | 1.19% |
| 21 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.06% |
| 22 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.00% |
| 23 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.97% |
| 24 | Driveshaft fault | 0.81% |
| 25 | Rear lamp not working | 0.80% |
| 26 | Fog lamp not working | 0.55% |
| 27 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.50% |
| 28 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.46% |
| 29 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.42% |
| 30 | Brake lever fault | 0.40% |
| 31 | Seat belt condition | 0.39% |
| 32 | ABS fault | 0.37% |
| 33 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.37% |
| 34 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.37% |
| 35 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.33% |
| 36 | Indicator fault | 0.32% |
| 37 | Brake caliper fault | 0.30% |
| 38 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.29% |
| 39 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.28% |
| 40 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 0.27% |
| 41 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.26% |
| 42 | Horn not working | 0.26% |
| 43 | Rear suspension fault | 0.25% |
| 44 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.24% |
| 45 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.22% |
| 46 | Track rod end worn | 0.21% |
| 47 | Airbag warning light on | 0.20% |
| 48 | Chassis condition | 0.19% |
| 49 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.17% |
| 50 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.17% |
| 51 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.17% |
| 52 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.16% |
| 53 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.14% |
| 54 | Steering rack fault | 0.14% |
| 55 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.13% |
| 56 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.12% |
| 57 | Steering lock fault | 0.12% |
| 58 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.12% |
| 59 | Suspension unit fault | 0.12% |
| 60 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.11% |
| 61 | Front suspension fault | 0.10% |
| 62 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.09% |
| 63 | Brake pedal fault | 0.09% |
| 64 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.09% |
| 65 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.09% |
| 66 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.09% |
| 67 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.08% |
| 68 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.07% |
| 69 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.06% |
| 70 | Engine oil leak | 0.06% |
| 71 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.05% |
| 72 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.05% |
| 73 | Power steering pump fault | 0.05% |
| 74 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.05% |
| 75 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.05% |
| 76 | Brake fluid leak | 0.04% |
| 77 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.04% |
| 78 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.03% |
| 79 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 80 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 81 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 82 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 83 | Electrical switch fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.03% |
| 85 | Suspension air bellows damaged | 0.02% |
| 86 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.02% |
| 88 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Mirror or camera fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Propshaft fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.02% |
| 92 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 94 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 95 | Spare wheel fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Body security fault | 0.01% |
| 97 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 98 | Passenger seat fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.01% |
| 100 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.01% |
| 101 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 103 | Drag link end worn | <0.01% |
| 104 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 105 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 106 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 107 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 108 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 109 | Steering free play excessive | <0.01% |
| 110 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Driver airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 114 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 115 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 116 | Steering arm worn | <0.01% |
| 117 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 118 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 123 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 126 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 127 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 128 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 129 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 130 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 136 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 138 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 139 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 140 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 144 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 145 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 146 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 147 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 148 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 149 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 156 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 158 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 159 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 163 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 164 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 170 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 171 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 175 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 175 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Lexus Rx MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Lexus Rx, 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 Rx problems?
Based on analysis of 542K Lexus Rx MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 9 identified common problems across 5 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake performance below minimum". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Lexus Rx generation has the most problems?
The Lexus Rx XU30 (2003-2009) (2003–2009) has the highest number of identified common problems (13). 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 Rx?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Lexus Rx owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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