Lexus IS300
Registered from 2001 to 2017.
About this model
The Lexus IS is a compact executive car sold by Lexus, a luxury division of Toyota, since 1998. The IS was originally sold under the Toyota Altezza nameplate in Japan from 1998 until 2005. The IS was introduced as an entry-level sport model positioned below the ES in the Lexus lineup. It was the smallest car in the Lexus lineup until the introduction of the CT in 2011.
From the Wikipedia article Lexus IS, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2002 3.0 petrol. 57 of 262 tests failed, 22%.
Better than 85% of 2002 cars. The typical one fails 27%, across 558 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 53% | 30 |
| Tyres and wheels | 42% | 24 |
| Lights and electrics | 28% | 16 |
| Brakes | 23% | 13 |
| Body and structure | 16% | 9 |
| Visibility | 14% | 8 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- A tyre seriously damaged
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
Where it stands out against its peers
- Tyres and wheels: failed more often than 98% of 2002 cars — 42% of its 57 failed tests, where an ordinary 2002 car has 12%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Suspension — 53% of its failures
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Tyres and wheels — 42% of its failures
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Brakes — 23% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 28% of its failures
- Body and structure — 16% of its failures
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- Visibility — 14% of its failures
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
When it starts failing
At 160–180k miles this one fails 22% of its inspections, against the 31% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80–100k miles | 16% | 27% | 43 | |
| 100–120k miles | 17% | 28% | 53 | |
| 120–140k miles | 32% | 29% | 38 | |
| 140–160k miles | 26% | 30% | 38 | |
| 160–180k miles | 22% | 31% | 32 |
204 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 120k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.