2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Lexus GS300 MOT pass rate and common faults

129 MOT tests in 2024. 69.8% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

122Well above average
Passed first time69.8%
Failed or needed repairs30.2%
Typical mileage at test113,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 129 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick5.4%
    10 marked dangerous
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.7%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords3.9%
  4. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak3.1%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.1%
  6. Position lamp: not working3.1%
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
    4 marked dangerous
  8. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.3%
  9. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.3%
  10. Washers: not working1.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes16.3%
  2. Lights & electrics14.0%
  3. Suspension11.6%
  4. Tyres10.1%
  5. Emissions & leaks4.7%
  6. Steering2.3%
  7. Body & chassis2.3%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine17.8%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.1%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.9%
  4. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak9.3%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.3%

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: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. 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 2003 Lexus GS300?

In 2024, 69.8% of 2003 Lexus GS300 cars passed their MOT first time, across 129 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Lexus GS300?

The most common failure reasons were brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2003 Lexus GS300 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 122, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).