2001 Lexus IS MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 71.0% of Lexus IS cars first used in 2001 passed their MOT first time, against 61.1% for all cars first used in 2001. Across 2,299 IS first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Lexus IS cars first used in 2001 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2001 Lexus IS MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, IS cars first used in 2001 against all cars first used in 2001 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the IS figure was 9.9 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2001 IS | All cars first used 2001 | IS first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 63.3% | 55.6% | 1,312 |
| 2022 | 65.5% | 57.4% | 1,077 |
| 2023 | 63.5% | 58.7% | 891 |
| 2024 | 66.2% | 59.4% | 766 |
| 2025 | 71.0% | 61.1% | 642 |
Common 2001 Lexus IS MOT failures
Share of the 770 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working | 13.4% | 103 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 12.1% | 93 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | 9.0% | 69 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 8.7% | 67 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | 8.2% | 63 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an IS in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Shock absorber replacement | £300 | £200–£500 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2001 Lexus IS before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
Common 2001 Lexus IS MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2001 IS cars, as a share of all 2,299 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 15.6% | 359 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 11.2% | 257 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 11.0% | 252 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 10.6% | 243 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | 8.6% | 198 |
Questions about the 2001 Lexus IS MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2001 Lexus IS?
In 2025, 71.0% of IS cars first used in 2001 passed their MOT first time, against 61.1% for all cars first used in 2001. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2001 IS most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 42.6% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (41.0%) and brakes (23.8%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (13.4%).
How often does a 2001 Lexus IS fail its MOT?
In 2025, 29.0% of first tests on IS cars first used in 2001 did not pass first time: 23.2% failed, and a further 5.8% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 770 of 2,299 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2001 Lexus IS MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 15.6% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (11.2%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (11.0%), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (10.6%) and “Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (8.6%).
Is a 2001 Lexus IS reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 63.3% in 2021 to 71.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2001
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2001 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2001 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2001 Volkswagen Transporter MOT statistics · 2001 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2001 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2001 IS?
The numbers above cover every IS first used in 2001 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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