2011 · 13 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2011 Lexus IS MOT pass rate and common faults

134 MOT tests in 2024. 78.4% passed first time, compared with 61.8% for all cars the same age.

127Well above average
Passed first time78.4%
Failed or needed repairs21.6%
Typical mileage at test80,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 134 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working5.2%
  2. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.0%
    4 marked dangerous
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.2%
    4 marked dangerous
  4. Service brake performance: excessively fluctuating1.5%
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.5%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.5%
    2 marked dangerous
  7. Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.5%
  8. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits1.5%
  9. Hydraulic brake callipers: damaged and braking performance affected0.7%
    1 marked dangerous

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics11.2%
  2. Brakes9.0%
  3. Tyres7.5%
  4. Suspension3.7%
  5. Emissions & leaks3.7%
  6. Steering1.5%
  7. Body & chassis1.5%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick11.9%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm10.4%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded7.5%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened6.7%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure6.0%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: position lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2011 Lexus IS?

In 2024, 78.4% of 2011 Lexus IS cars passed their MOT first time, across 134 tests. The average for all 13-year-old cars was 61.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2011 Lexus IS?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2011 Lexus IS reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 127, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).