2009 Lexus IS MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 73.0% of Lexus IS cars first used in 2009 passed their MOT first time, against 58.3% for all cars first used in 2009. Across 7,294 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 2009 (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
73.0%
of 2,230 first tests; all cars first used in 2009: 58.3%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
7,294
first tests, 2023–2025; 2,230 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
30.1%
of 2,230 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
108,000
middle half: 80,500–136,000 miles; all cars first used in 2009: 100,000

How the 2009 Lexus IS MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, IS cars first used in 2009 against all cars first used in 2009 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the IS figure was 14.7 points higher.

2009 ISAll cars first used in 2009
50%60%70%80%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2009, test year 2021: 60.5%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2022: 60.1%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2023: 59%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2024: 58.4%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2025: 58.3%2009 IS, test year 2021: 75.3%2009 IS, test year 2022: 76.1%2009 IS, test year 2023: 74.2%2009 IS, test year 2024: 74.2%2009 IS, test year 2025: 73%73%58.3%
View this chart as a table
Test year2009 ISAll cars first used 2009IS first tests
202175.3%60.5%2,878
202276.1%60.1%2,755
202374.2%59.0%2,641
202474.2%58.4%2,423
202573.0%58.3%2,230

Common 2009 Lexus IS MOT failures

Share of the 1,908 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 equipment47.6%
Brakes32.8%
Tyres25.1%
Visibility13.3%
Suspension12.3%
Noise, emissions and leaks9.2%
Body, chassis, structure7.5%
Road Wheels2.6%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Position lamp: not working18.1%346
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect11.4%217
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.1%192
Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm9.7%185
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively8.4%160

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

What to check on a 2009 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 2009 Lexus IS MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2009 IS cars, as a share of all 7,294 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge17.9%1,302
Brake pads: wearing thin10.5%766
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened8.5%620
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material7.5%547
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.0%509

Questions about the 2009 Lexus IS MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2009 Lexus IS?

In 2025, 73.0% of IS cars first used in 2009 passed their MOT first time, against 58.3% for all cars first used in 2009. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2009 IS most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 47.6% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (32.8%) and tyres (25.1%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (18.1%).

How often does a 2009 Lexus IS fail its MOT?

In 2025, 27.0% of first tests on IS cars first used in 2009 did not pass first time: 21.4% failed, and a further 5.6% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,908 of 7,294 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2009 Lexus IS MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 17.9% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (10.5%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (8.5%), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (7.5%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (7.0%).

Is a 2009 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 75.3% in 2021 to 73.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2009

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

2009 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2009 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2009 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2009 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2009 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics

How the 2009 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. “2009 IS” means a Lexus IS whose date of first use falls in 2009 (58, 09 and 59 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 2009, 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.