2007 Lexus IS MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 70.0% of Lexus IS cars first used in 2007 passed their MOT first time, against 57.4% for all cars first used in 2007. Across 10,363 IS first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, brakes and tyres.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Lexus IS cars first used in 2007 (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

Passed first time, 2025
70.0%
of 2,953 first tests; all cars first used in 2007: 57.4%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
10,363
first tests, 2023–2025; 2,953 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
28.7%
of 2,953 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
118,000
middle half: 93,000–143,500 miles; all cars first used in 2007: 107,500

How the 2007 Lexus IS MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, IS cars first used in 2007 against all cars first used in 2007 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the IS figure was 12.6 points higher.

2007 ISAll cars first used in 2007
50%60%70%80%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2007, test year 2021: 56.8%All cars first used in 2007, test year 2022: 57.2%All cars first used in 2007, test year 2023: 57%All cars first used in 2007, test year 2024: 56.9%All cars first used in 2007, test year 2025: 57.4%2007 IS, test year 2021: 72%2007 IS, test year 2022: 72.4%2007 IS, test year 2023: 70.6%2007 IS, test year 2024: 69.5%2007 IS, test year 2025: 70%70%57.4%
View this chart as a table
Test year2007 ISAll cars first used 2007IS first tests
202172.0%56.8%4,900
202272.4%57.2%4,450
202370.6%57.0%3,945
202469.5%56.9%3,465
202570.0%57.4%2,953

Common 2007 Lexus IS MOT failures

Share of the 3,106 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%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment51.7%
Brakes33.8%
Tyres23.7%
Suspension14.4%
Noise, emissions and leaks14.0%
Visibility13.3%
Body, chassis, structure8.5%
Road Wheels2.6%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Position lamp: not working19.8%615
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect11.8%368
Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm10.7%333
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.0%312
Headlamp: not working on dipped beam8.9%277

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2007 Lexus IS before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. 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.
  3. Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.

Common 2007 Lexus IS MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2007 IS cars, as a share of all 10,363 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge18.6%1,923
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened10.6%1,095
Brake pads: wearing thin10.3%1,072
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing6.9%718
Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output6.7%695

Questions about the 2007 Lexus IS MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2007 Lexus IS?

In 2025, 70.0% of IS cars first used in 2007 passed their MOT first time, against 57.4% for all cars first used in 2007. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2007 IS most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 51.7% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (33.8%) and tyres (23.7%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (19.8%).

How often does a 2007 Lexus IS fail its MOT?

In 2025, 30.0% of first tests on IS cars first used in 2007 did not pass first time: 23.0% failed, and a further 7.0% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 3,106 of 10,363 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2007 Lexus IS MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 18.6% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (10.6%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (10.3%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (6.9%) and “Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output” (6.7%).

Is a 2007 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 72.0% in 2021 to 70.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2007

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2007 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2007 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2007 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2007 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics · 2007 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics

How the 2007 Lexus IS MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2007 IS” means a Lexus IS whose date of first use falls in 2007 (56, 07 and 57 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2007, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.