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Ranked by MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, 3 to 15 years old

Lexus models ranked by MOT fails

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 496,149 MOT tests · Updated

Lexus GS has the fewest MOT fails among Lexus models: 56% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (15,782 MOT tests) [1].

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  • 8 models ranked, 8 with at least 20% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (95% interval, at 3 or more ages), from 496,149 MOT tests [1]
  • Lexus RX is next: 49% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (102,310 MOT tests)
  • Lexus RC is last of the 8: 33% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (7,068 MOT tests)

Which year and engine a car has, and how it was kept, decide where one car sits in these ranges. Check the reg first.

Fail rates are for the model across its MOT tests, never a forecast for one car.

  • Fewest MOT fails: Lexus GS, 56% fewer fails than cars the same age and mileage
  • #2 for fewest MOT fails: Lexus RX, 49% fewer fails than cars the same age and mileage
  • #3 for fewest MOT fails: Lexus UX, 49% fewer fails than cars the same age and mileage
  • #4 for fewest MOT fails: Lexus ES, 46% fewer fails than cars the same age and mileage

This is DVSA MOT data, not road tests, owner surveys or breakdown records, and nobody paid to be included. Each model is compared with all cars tested at the same age, in the same mileage band and in its own mix of test years, so a low-mileage model does not look better for its low mileage. "Most reliable" in our titles is measured as MOT failure rate at the same age and mileage, not breakdowns.

Lexus models: the ranking

Ranked by MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, from 8 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each of 3 or more ages between 3 to 15 years (pooled). The range under each rank is where the model could sit once sampling error is allowed for. Each adjusted rate reads against its own all-car rate, because models are tested at different ages.

Lexus models: MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, top 8Dot plot of the 8 models in the table: each dot is the model's MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, the line its 95% confidence interval. Dashed line: the same rate as all cars. Blue: at least 20% fewer fails, red: at least 20% more (interval and 3 or more ages), grey: about average.Fewer fails ← → more fails, same age and mileage80% fewer60% fewer40% fewer20% fewersame20% moreLexus GS: 56% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.44, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.46), 15,782 MOT tests1. Lexus GSLexus RX: 49% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.51, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.51), 102,310 MOT tests2. Lexus RXLexus UX: 49% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.51, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.54), 39,296 MOT tests3. Lexus UXLexus ES: 46% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.54, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.58), 9,493 MOT tests4. Lexus ESLexus NX: 44% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.56, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.57), 104,652 MOT tests5. Lexus NXLexus IS: 43% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.57, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.58), 94,937 MOT tests6. Lexus ISLexus CT: 39% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.61, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.61), 122,611 MOT tests7. Lexus CTLexus RC: 33% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.67, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.72), 7,068 MOT tests8. Lexus RC
Top 8 of 8. Adjusted rate = the model's rate at typical mileage for its own ages, against all cars at those ages; raw = its own ages and mileage.
#95% rangeModelAgainst cars the same age and mileageAdjusted rateits own ages, typical mileageRawits own ages and mileageMOT testsNext step
1certainLexus GSexecutive car56% fewer fails (54–57% fewer)13.5%all cars: 30.4%13.7%15,782at 6 to 15 yearsLexus GS common problems
22–4Lexus RXlarge SUV49% fewer fails (49–50% fewer)13.7%all cars: 27.0%14.2%102,310at 3 to 15 yearsLexus RX MOT fail rate · Lexus RX common problems
32–4Lexus UXfamily SUV49% fewer fails (46–50% fewer)6.3%all cars: 12.2%6.1%39,296at 3 to 6 yearsLexus UX MOT fail rate · Lexus UX common problems
42–6Lexus ESexecutive car46% fewer fails (42–50% fewer)6.3%all cars: 11.8%6.7%9,493at 3 to 5 yearsLexus ES common problems
54–6Lexus NXfamily SUV44% fewer fails (43–45% fewer)9.4%all cars: 16.7%9.3%104,652at 3 to 10 yearsLexus NX MOT fail rate · Lexus NX common problems
64–6Lexus ISexecutive car43% fewer fails (42–44% fewer)16.8%all cars: 29.3%17.2%94,937at 3 to 15 yearsLexus IS MOT fail rate · Lexus IS common problems
7certainLexus CTfamily hatchback39% fewer fails (39–40% fewer)15.6%all cars: 25.8%15.9%122,611at 3 to 14 yearsLexus CT MOT fail rate · Lexus CT common problems
8certainLexus RCsports car33% fewer fails (28–37% fewer)11.6%all cars: 17.2%10.9%7,068at 4 to 8 yearsLexus RC common problems

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The top 8 in this list, model by model

1 · 56% fewer MOT fails

Lexus GS

Why it ranks here: 56% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.44, 95% CI 0.43–0.46), from 15,782 MOT tests at 6 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 13.5% (13.0%–14.0%), against 30.4% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 13.7%. Rank range 1–1.

Check before you buy: no part fails significantly more often than on cars the same age (ages 3 to 15).

Suits: buyers looking at an executive car; the ones tested were 52% hybrid, 47% petrol.

2 · 49% fewer MOT fails

Lexus RX

Why it ranks here: 49% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.51, 95% CI 0.50–0.51), from 102,310 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 13.7% (13.5%–13.9%), against 27.0% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 14.2%. Rank range 2–4.

Check before you buy: no part fails significantly more often than on cars the same age (ages 3 to 15).

Suits: buyers looking at a large SUV; the ones tested were mostly hybrid.

3 · 49% fewer MOT fails

Lexus UX

Why it ranks here: 49% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.51, 95% CI 0.50–0.54), from 39,296 MOT tests at 3 to 6 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 6.3% (6.0%–6.5%), against 12.2% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 6.1%. Rank range 2–4.

Check before you buy: no part fails significantly more often than on cars the same age (ages 3 to 15).

Suits: buyers looking at a family SUV; the ones tested were mostly hybrid.

4 · 46% fewer MOT fails

Lexus ES

Why it ranks here: 46% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.54, 95% CI 0.50–0.58), from 9,493 MOT tests at 3 to 5 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 6.3% (5.9%–6.8%), against 11.8% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 6.7%. Rank range 2–6.

Check before you buy: no part fails significantly more often than on cars the same age (ages 3 to 15).

Suits: buyers looking at an executive car; the ones tested were mostly hybrid.

5 · 44% fewer MOT fails

Lexus NX

Why it ranks here: 44% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.56, 95% CI 0.55–0.57), from 104,652 MOT tests at 3 to 10 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 9.4% (9.2%–9.6%), against 16.7% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 9.3%. Rank range 4–6.

Check before you buy: no part fails significantly more often than on cars the same age (ages 3 to 15).

Suits: buyers looking at a family SUV; the ones tested were mostly hybrid.

6 · 43% fewer MOT fails

Lexus IS

Why it ranks here: 43% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.57, 95% CI 0.56–0.58), from 94,937 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 16.8% (16.6%–17.0%), against 29.3% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 17.2%. Rank range 4–6.

Check before you buy: no part fails significantly more often than on cars the same age (ages 3 to 15).

Suits: buyers looking at an executive car; the ones tested were 48% petrol, 36% hybrid.

7 · 39% fewer MOT fails

Lexus CT

Why it ranks here: 39% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.61, 95% CI 0.60–0.61), from 122,611 MOT tests at 3 to 14 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 15.6% (15.4%–15.8%), against 25.8% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 15.9%. Rank range 7–7.

Check before you buy: no part fails significantly more often than on cars the same age (ages 3 to 15).

Suits: buyers looking at a family hatchback; the ones tested were mostly hybrid.

8 · 33% fewer MOT fails

Lexus RC

Why it ranks here: 33% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.67, 95% CI 0.63–0.72), from 7,068 MOT tests at 4 to 8 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 11.6% (10.8%–12.4%), against 17.2% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 10.9%. Rank range 8–8.

Check before you buy: no part fails significantly more often than on cars the same age (ages 3 to 15).

Suits: buyers looking at a sports car; the ones tested were mostly hybrid.

How to choose Lexus models with this list

  • Compare like with like: against cars the same age and mileage, this list runs from 56% fewer (Lexus GS) to 33% fewer (Lexus RC).
  • 8 of the 8 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 0 at least 20% more often; the other 0 are within that band, or too uncertain to say.
  • Look at what a model fails on: 0 of the 8 models above have a part that fails more often than on cars the same age.
  • Then check the one car: its own MOT history and advisories say more about it than its model's average.

Found one on the list? Check that car

A ranking compares models at the same age and mileage; it cannot say how one car was kept. A registration shows that car's own DVSA record: its MOT tests, the mileage at each test and the recall flag.

How we rank

496,149 MOT tests from 2022–2025 of cars 3 to 15 years old. For each model and age, the tests are split into 6 mileage bands (<30k, 30-60k, 60-90k, 90-120k, 120-150k, 150k+); the expected fails are what all cars of that age would fail in the same bands, corrected to the model's own mix of test years. The ratio of the model's fails to the expected fails sets its place. The adjusted rate is that ratio times the all-car rate at the model's own ages, so it reads against that rate: a model tested only at 3 to 5 years is compared with young cars, not with this list's average.

The 95% intervals cover sampling error only (Wilson intervals). A model is called fewer or more only when its interval is at least 20% from the all-car rate, overall and at 3 or more ages ("close to average" when the interval excludes the all-car rate by less); awards use the same rule. Test years: Each model's expected fails therefore use its own mix of test years 2022–2025, age by age; the mileage bands themselves pool the four years, which can leave a small bias in favour of models first sold late in the window. Generations of a model are pooled unless the data splits them; each row says which years it covers. How we compare

Limitation: MOT tests record roadworthiness defects on the test day. They do not record breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs, and they cannot separate design from upkeep: a model whose owners service it before every MOT looks better here. Only cars still on the road are tested.

More lists

Questions people ask

Which Lexus models have the fewest MOT fails?

15,782 MOT tests at 6 to 15 years put the Lexus GS first: 56% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage. Next is the Lexus RX: 49% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage.

Which Lexus models fail their MOT most often?

7,068 MOT tests at 4 to 8 years put the Lexus RC last of the 8 in this list: 33% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage.

How many Lexus models are compared?

8 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each age counted, 496,149 MOT tests in all; 8 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 0 at least 20% more often.

Sources

  1. Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 496,149 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.