Lexus RX: what fails at MOT
27,000 MOT tests on the Lexus RX in 2024, counted. 8.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
7.6% of Lexus RX tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 19.2%, so the RX does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (2.1% of tests), lights and electrics (1.4% of tests) and wipers, washers and windscreen (1% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,964 | 3.1% | 10.9% | 22,800 16,700 to 30,100 |
| 2020 | 2,984 | 4.1% | 11.5% | 28,800 21,200 to 38,200 |
| 2019 | 3,565 | 5.7% | 13.4% | 36,500 26,600 to 47,400 |
| 2018 | 2,794 | 4.6% | 15.6% | 43,800 34,100 to 56,700 |
| 2017 | 2,901 | 7.4% | 18.2% | 51,700 40,000 to 66,400 |
| 2016 | 3,598 | 6.4% | 21.3% | 60,100 44,500 to 76,900 |
| 2015 | 1,829 | 11.7% | 24.4% | 69,400 53,400 to 86,600 |
| 2014 | 2,327 | 12.7% | 27.7% | 77,600 62,400 to 98,900 |
| 2013 | 2,739 | 13.3% | 30.6% | 86,200 65,600 to 108,100 |
| 2012 | 928 | 17.6% | 33.4% | 94,000 74,400 to 116,600 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Lexus RX tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | RX | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres Less than most | 2.1% | 3.8% |
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 1.4% | 4.2% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 1.0% | 2.3% |
| Brakes Less than most | 0.9% | 2.7% |
| Suspension Less than most | 0.9% | 3.1% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre1.3%
- Wipers0.7%
- Tyre tread0.7%
- Headlamp aim0.6%
- Brake pads0.5%
- Side light0.4%
- Tyre pressure warning system0.2%
- Washers0.2%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover0.2%
- Footbrake0.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.7%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.7%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm0.6%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.5%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.5%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.4%
- Side light: not working0.4%
- Tyre pressure warning system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative0.2%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.2%
- Ball joint dust cover: no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.2%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge9.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement4.7%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.6%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.0%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened2.7%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt0.9%
- Nail in tyre0.9%
- Tyre: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.8%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Lexus RX's own MOT record
Looking at a RX? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.