2009 · 15 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2009 Lexus IS MOT pass rate and common faults

166 MOT tests in 2024. 78.3% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

134Well above average
Passed first time78.3%
Failed or needed repairs21.7%
Typical mileage at test106,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 166 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working6.6%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick4.8%
    10 marked dangerous
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.2%
  4. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.8%
  5. Pedal: has insufficient reserve travel1.8%
  6. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded1.8%
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.2%
    2 marked dangerous
  8. Headlamp aim: too low1.2%
  9. Service brake performance: excessively fluctuating1.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics15.1%
  2. Brakes15.1%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.0%
  4. Tyres2.4%
  5. Suspension1.8%
  6. Emissions & leaks1.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.9%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.8%
  3. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn6.0%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded6.0%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened6.0%

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 2009 Lexus IS?

In 2024, 78.3% of 2009 Lexus IS cars passed their MOT first time, across 166 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 Lexus IS?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2009 Lexus IS reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 134, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).