2009 · 15 years old at test · Mixed fuel mostly

2009 Lexus RX MOT pass rate and common faults

162 MOT tests in 2024. 73.5% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

126Well above average
Passed first time73.5%
Failed or needed repairs26.5%
Typical mileage at test130,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 162 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.7%
    9 marked dangerous
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.1%
  3. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.5%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.5%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.9%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.9%
    5 marked dangerous
  7. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.9%
    4 marked dangerous
  8. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn1.9%
  9. Position lamp: not working1.9%
  10. Service brake imbalance: across an axle1.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes16.7%
  2. Suspension8.6%
  3. Lights & electrics8.6%
  4. Tyres8.0%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.2%
  6. Emissions & leaks1.2%
  7. Body & chassis1.2%
  8. Number plates & VIN1.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm21.0%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn20.4%
  3. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened9.3%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.4%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7.4%

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: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All RX years2011 RX →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 Lexus RX?

In 2024, 73.5% of 2009 Lexus RX cars passed their MOT first time, across 162 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

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

The most common failure reasons were tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2009 Lexus RX reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 126, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).