MOT data
Lexus GS MOT fail rate by age and year
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 27,787 MOT tests · Updated
At 17 years, 25.9% of Lexus GS MOT tests ended in a fail (adjusted to typical mileage), against 43.6% for all class 4 vehicles tested at 17 (3,052 MOT tests) [1].
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- Lights and electrics: fails less often than cars the same age (0.5–0.6×) at 17 years, 367 of 3,052 MOT tests
- Mileage: median 110,712 miles at 17 years against 105,023 for all class 4 vehicles, 3,052 MOT tests
- Before the mileage adjustment: 26.4% of MOT tests at 17 years ended in a fail, 3,052 MOT tests
Which engine and year a car has decides which of these apply. Check the reg first.
Figures are for the model, not one car, and compare with all class 4 vehicles tested at 17 in the same test year.
- Fail rate at 17 years, typical mileage
- 25.9%
- vs 43.6% for all class 4 vehicles tested at 17
- 3,052 MOT tests
- Fail rate at 17 years, raw
- 26.4%
- vs 43.6% for all class 4 vehicles tested at 17
- 3,052 MOT tests
- Median mileage at 17 years
- 110,712 mi
- vs 105,023 mi for all class 4 vehicles
- 3,052 MOT tests
Lexus GS MOT fail rate by age
Each line follows the cars first used in one year across the ages they were tested at from 2022 to 2025, so a line never mixes a 2005 car with a 2015 one. 28k DVSA MOT tests in all (27,787).
At 17 years and typical mileage that is 40% fewer fails than all class 4 vehicles tested at 17 (3,052 MOT tests).
| Age | Raw | Typical mileage | All class 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 7.8% | 7.9% | 18.5% |
| 7 | 9.0% | 8.8% | 20.9% |
| 8 | 10.2% | 10.0% | 23.9% |
| 9 | 10.0% | 9.9% | 27.4% |
| 10 | 10.9% | 11.0% | 30.9% |
| 11 | 13.6% | 13.7% | 33.1% |
| 12 | 14.7% | 14.7% | 35.5% |
| 13 | 17.1% | 17.4% | 38.1% |
| 14 | 22.4% | 22.6% | 41.3% |
| 15 | 22.5% | 22.4% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 25.6% | 24.9% | 43.1% |
| 17 | 26.4% | 25.9% | 43.6% |
| 18 | 28.2% | 27.3% | 43.4% |
| 19* | 28.5% | 27.6% | 43.3% |
| 20* | 29.3% | 28.1% | 42.8% |
* Over 18 years: only survivors are still tested at this age, so these rates describe the cars that are left.
Lower MOT fail rate than average: 26.4% raw · 25.9% at typical mileage, against 43.6% for all class 4 vehicles tested at 17, 3,052 MOT tests. Which years? See the full verdict
What fails on a Lexus GS at 17 years
2 of 11 parts fail clearly more or less often than on cars the same age, with the same direction at 3 or more ages up to 18 years and no mixed picture.
| Part | Per 100 | All class 4 | Compared | Most common fail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 12.0 | 21.0 | fails less often than cars the same age (0.5–0.6×) | Position lamp not working (MOT fail) |
| Suspension | 4.9 | 17.2 | fails less often than cars the same age (0.2–0.3×) | Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (MOT fail) |
| Brakes | 9.1 | 12.3 | about average for cars the same age | Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (MOT fail) |
| Tyres | 5.8 | 7.3 | about average for cars the same age | Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (MOT fail) |
| Emissions and leaks | 5.7 | 6.5 | about average for cars the same age | Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunction (MOT fail) |
| Body and structure | 3.2 | 8.3 | about average for cars the same age | Exhaust system has a major leak of exhaust gases (MOT fail) |
Buying a Lexus GS? Check that exact car before the viewing.
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- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
Check one Lexus GS, not the average
The figures here describe Lexus GS cars as a group. A registration shows one car's own DVSA record: its MOT tests, the mileage at each test and the recall flag.
- Check a Lexus GS's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- Mileage check on a Lexus GS The odometer reading from each MOT, with drops, jumps and long gaps flagged.
- Check a Lexus GS for an outstanding recall Whether DVSA's MOT record flags an outstanding safety recall for that registration.
More Lexus GS data
Mileage at MOT
At 17 years, 26.4% of MOT tests ended in a fail as tested. Weighted to the mileage mix of all class 4 vehicles that age, the rate is 25.9%, so mileage explains almost none of the gap.
| Miles | MOT tests | Lexus GS | All class 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 240 | 12.9% | 32.5% |
| 60-90k | 654 | 22.2% | 41.7% |
| 90-120k | 868 | 27.0% | 46.2% |
| 120-150k | 741 | 30.6% | 47.1% |
| 150k+ | 490 | 32.7% | 46.5% |
Lexus GS recalls
2 DVSA recalls list this model by name [2]. Vehicles are DVSA's count of affected Lexus GS vehicles. The latest:
- R/2012/102 Tow ball may fracture (4,505 vehicles of this model), built Jan 2005 to Nov 2011. From the recall's stated risk: “On Toyota Avensis Previa and Lexus GS fitted with a Toyota or Lexus genuine or Brink branded (only on Avensis) detachable towing hitch the possibility…”
- R/2006/057 Airbags may not inflate during a collision (11 vehicles of this model), built Aug 2005 to Aug 2005. From the recall's stated risk: “Due to improper assembly of the airbag inflator used in the side airbag curtain shield airbag and knee airbag systems the subject airbags may not fully…”
Ask the seller for proof the work was done. Check any car on GOV.UK
Lexus GS against similar cars at 17 years
Same class and fuel, all tested at 17 years, at typical mileage.
| Model | Fail rate | 95% range | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus GS | 25.9% | 24.4% to 27.5% | 3,052 |
| BMW 3 Series MOT fail rate | 31.1% | 30.8% to 31.5% | 85,976 |
| Audi A4 MOT fail rate | 34.3% | 33.8% to 34.8% | 56,390 |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class MOT fail rate | 38.2% | 37.8% to 38.7% | 51,777 |
| Ford Mondeo MOT fail rate | 42.4% | 41.9% to 42.9% | 40,958 |
| Volkswagen Passat MOT fail rate | 38.3% | 37.4% to 39.1% | 29,623 |
| BMW 5 Series MOT fail rate | 28.3% | 27.5% to 29.1% | 28,722 |
| Vauxhall Vectra MOT fail rate | 44.8% | 44.2% to 45.4% | 25,311 |
| Saab 9-3 MOT fail rate | 37.9% | 37.3% to 38.5% | 24,131 |
Other Lexus models
More Lexus GS data
Years
Running costs
By part
- Lexus GS suspension problems
- Lexus GS brakes problems
- Lexus GS lights and electrics problems
- Lexus GS body and structure problems
- Lexus GS exhaust and emissions problems
- Lexus GS windscreen and wipers problems
- Lexus GS tyres problems
Problems, recalls and costs
Questions people ask
How often does a Lexus GS fail its MOT at 17 years?
25.9% of MOT tests at 17 years ended in a fail at typical mileage (26.4% as tested), from 3,052 MOT tests, against 43.6% for all class 4 vehicles the same age; the BMW 3 Series was at 31.1%.
What fails most on a Lexus GS at 17 years?
12.0 in 100 MOT tests at 17 years failed on lights and electrics, most often "position lamp not working", then suspension (4.9) and brakes (9.1), from 3,052 MOT tests.
How does the Lexus GS compare with the BMW 3 Series?
At 17 years the Lexus GS failed 25.9% of MOT tests at typical mileage, the BMW 3 Series 31.1% and the Audi A4 34.3%, from 3,052, 85,976 and 56,390 MOT tests.
What mileage does a Lexus GS have at 17 years?
A median of 110,712 miles at the MOT test at 17 years, against 105,023 for all class 4 vehicles the same age, from 3,052 MOT tests.
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 27,787 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Vehicle safety recalls data. DVSA recall data. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
Cars tested at 17 years are compared only with vehicles tested at 17 years in the same year, adjusted to typical mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data.