2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Lexus SC430 MOT pass rate and common faults

278 MOT tests in 2024. 74.8% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

131Well above average
Passed first time74.8%
Failed or needed repairs25.2%
Typical mileage at test95,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 278 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction4.0%
  2. Position lamp: not working4.0%
  3. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.9%
  4. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.5%
  5. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault1.8%
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.4%
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
    7 marked dangerous
  8. Electronic stability control: warning lamp indicates a fault1.4%
  9. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
    5 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes13.3%
  2. Emissions & leaks12.9%
  3. Lights & electrics10.1%
  4. Tyres5.0%
  5. Suspension3.6%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.2%
  7. Body & chassis1.4%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm9.0%
  2. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases8.3%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure6.5%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened5.8%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.7%

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: malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. 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 SC430?

In 2024, 74.8% of 2003 Lexus SC430 cars passed their MOT first time, across 278 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Lexus SC430?

The most common failure reasons were malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; position lamp: not working; catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2003 Lexus SC430 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 131, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).