2008 Lexus IS MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 73.8% of Lexus IS cars first used in 2008 passed their MOT first time, against 57.2% for all cars first used in 2008. Across 8,199 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 2008 (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
73.8%
of 2,408 first tests; all cars first used in 2008: 57.2%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
8,199
first tests, 2023–2025; 2,408 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
34.0%
of 2,408 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
112,500
middle half: 86,000–138,500 miles; all cars first used in 2008: 105,500

How the 2008 Lexus IS MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, IS cars first used in 2008 against all cars first used in 2008 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the IS figure was 16.6 points higher.

2008 ISAll cars first used in 2008
50%60%70%80%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2008, test year 2021: 58%All cars first used in 2008, test year 2022: 57.9%All cars first used in 2008, test year 2023: 57.4%All cars first used in 2008, test year 2024: 56.9%All cars first used in 2008, test year 2025: 57.2%2008 IS, test year 2021: 73.8%2008 IS, test year 2022: 72%2008 IS, test year 2023: 72.5%2008 IS, test year 2024: 72%2008 IS, test year 2025: 73.8%73.8%57.2%
View this chart as a table
Test year2008 ISAll cars first used 2008IS first tests
202173.8%58.0%3,632
202272.0%57.9%3,328
202372.5%57.4%3,037
202472.0%56.9%2,754
202573.8%57.2%2,408

Common 2008 Lexus IS MOT failures

Share of the 2,237 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 equipment51.2%
Brakes30.8%
Tyres26.0%
Visibility14.8%
Noise, emissions and leaks13.1%
Suspension12.5%
Body, chassis, structure8.9%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems3.4%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Position lamp: not working20.3%454
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect12.1%270
Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm11.2%250
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.7%216
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively8.9%198

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

What to check on a 2008 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 2008 Lexus IS MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2008 IS cars, as a share of all 8,199 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge18.0%1,476
Brake pads: wearing thin10.1%827
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened9.5%775
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.5%612
Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread6.4%525

Questions about the 2008 Lexus IS MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2008 Lexus IS?

In 2025, 73.8% of IS cars first used in 2008 passed their MOT first time, against 57.2% for all cars first used in 2008. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2008 IS most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 51.2% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (30.8%) and tyres (26.0%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (20.3%).

How often does a 2008 Lexus IS fail its MOT?

In 2025, 26.2% of first tests on IS cars first used in 2008 did not pass first time: 19.7% failed, and a further 6.4% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 2,237 of 8,199 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2008 Lexus IS MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 18.0% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (10.1%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (9.5%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (7.5%) and “Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread” (6.4%).

Is a 2008 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 73.8% in 2021 to 73.8% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2008

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

2008 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2008 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2008 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2008 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2008 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics

How the 2008 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. “2008 IS” means a Lexus IS whose date of first use falls in 2008 (57, 08 and 58 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 2008, 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.