1998 · 26 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1998 Lexus GS300 MOT pass rate and common faults

124 MOT tests in 2024. 75.8% passed first time, compared with 64.9% for all cars the same age.

117Well above average
Passed first time75.8%
Failed or needed repairs24.2%
Typical mileage at test118,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 124 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure2.4%
    8 marked dangerous
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
    6 marked dangerous
  3. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.4%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.4%
  5. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault2.4%
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.4%
  7. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength1.6%
  8. Rear fog lamp tell-tale: not working1.6%
  9. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.6%
    5 marked dangerous
  10. Rear fog lamp: not working1.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics20.2%
  2. Brakes12.9%
  3. Suspension6.5%
  4. Tyres4.8%
  5. Body & chassis4.0%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.0%
  7. Emissions & leaks2.4%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine19.4%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.4%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.9%
  4. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases8.1%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.1%

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: tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All GS300 years2001 GS300 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 Lexus GS300?

In 2024, 75.8% of 1998 Lexus GS300 cars passed their MOT first time, across 124 tests. The average for all 26-year-old cars was 64.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1998 Lexus GS300?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1998 Lexus GS300 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 117, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).