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Common problems by part

Lexus GS exhaust, emissions and leaks problems

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 3,052 MOT tests · Updated

At 17 years, 5.7 in 100 MOT tests of the Lexus GS failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 6.5 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 3,052 MOT tests) [1].

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  • Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 173 MOT tests with a fail
  • By age: seen at 14 ages from 7 to 20 years, 26,512 MOT tests
  • Most common fail: Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction, 4.0 per 100 MOT tests

Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.

What the MOT tests show

What we know

5.7 fails per 100 MOT tests at 17 years, against 6.5 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 17 (all test years). That is about average.

Why it matters

An exhaust, emissions and leaks fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.

What to check

Start the car from cold and look for smoke at the exhaust, listen for blowing joints, and look under the engine and gearbox for fresh oil or fluid drips.

Lexus GS exhaust, emissions and leaks fails by age

Lexus GS exhaust, emissions and leaks fails per 100 MOT tests by ageSolid line: the Lexus GS. Dashed line: all cars the same age. The table below lists every value.02467 years: 0.1 per 100 (all cars 1.7), 1,647 MOT tests78 years: 0.1 per 100 (all cars 2.1), 1,902 MOT tests9 years: 0.2 per 100 (all cars 2.4), 2,135 MOT tests910 years: 0.1 per 100 (all cars 2.8), 2,069 MOT tests11 years: 0.2 per 100 (all cars 3.2), 1,759 MOT tests1112 years: 0.2 per 100 (all cars 3.7), 1,414 MOT tests13 years: 1.2 per 100 (all cars 4.3), 1,170 MOT tests1314 years: 2.7 per 100 (all cars 5.1), 1,172 MOT tests15 years: 2.5 per 100 (all cars 5.7), 1,970 MOT tests1516 years: 4.1 per 100 (all cars 6.2), 2,567 MOT tests17 years: 5.7 per 100 (all cars 6.5), 3,052 MOT tests1718 years: 6.3 per 100 (all cars 6.8), 2,504 MOT tests19 years: 6.9 per 100 (all cars 7.0), 1,849 MOT tests1920 years: 6.9 per 100 (all cars 7.0), 1,302 MOT tests
Fails per 100 MOT tests by age, all first-use years pooled. Lexus GS All class 4 vehicles the same age Shaded: over 18 years, survivors only.
AgeMOT testsFails per 100All class 4 vehicles the same age
71,6470.11.7
81,9020.12.1
92,1350.22.4
102,0690.12.8
111,7590.23.2
121,4140.23.7
131,1701.24.3
141,1722.75.1
151,9702.55.7
162,5674.16.2
173,0525.76.5
182,5046.46.8
19*1,8496.97.0
20*1,3026.97.0

All first-use years of the Lexus GS pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years. * Only survivors are still tested at this age.

What fails in the exhaust, emissions and leaks at 17 years

Fails

Advisories (not fails)

Diagnose engine warning light cost

Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.

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Buying Report £14.99 incl. VAT · one car · no subscription · Not a mechanical inspection.

  • Model risks for this year and fuel
  • What similar cars did at their next MOT
  • Repairs ahead
  • Viewing checklist

See a sample report

How to check on a test drive

Start the car from cold and look for smoke at the exhaust, listen for blowing joints, and look under the engine and gearbox for fresh oil or fluid drips.

The most common advisory here in MOT records: Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive.

Check one Lexus GS, not the average

The figures here describe Lexus GS cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.

Other Lexus GS problems

Exhaust, emissions and leaks on rival models

Questions people ask

Does the Lexus GS have more exhaust, emissions and leaks problems than other cars?

5.7 in 100 MOT tests at 17 years, against 6.5 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 3,052 MOT tests).

How common are Lexus GS exhaust, emissions and leaks problems?

5.7 in 100 MOT tests at 17 years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 6.5 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 3,052 MOT tests).

What is the most common Lexus GS exhaust, emissions and leaks fail?

4.0 in 100 MOT tests at 17 years: Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction (121 MOT tests with it).

Sources

  1. 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.
  2. Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.

Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare