2005 · 19 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2005 Lexus SC430 MOT pass rate and common faults

220 MOT tests in 2024. 85.9% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

152Well above average
Passed first time85.9%
Failed or needed repairs14.1%
Typical mileage at test83,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 220 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.3%
  2. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.8%
  3. Position lamp: not working1.8%
  4. Horn: not working1.8%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn1.4%
  6. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits1.4%
  7. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
    5 marked dangerous
  8. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.4%
  9. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.4%
  10. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.9%
    2 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics9.1%
  2. Brakes8.6%
  3. Suspension4.1%
  4. Emissions & leaks3.6%
  5. Tyres1.8%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.4%
  7. Body & chassis0.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak10.5%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm9.5%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded5.0%
  4. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases4.1%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.1%

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: 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 2005 Lexus SC430?

In 2024, 85.9% of 2005 Lexus SC430 cars passed their MOT first time, across 220 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 Lexus SC430?

The most common failure reasons were malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2005 Lexus SC430 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 152, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).