LEXUS IS Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 2,323 MOT tests from 204 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every LEXUS IS has the same fault.

LEXUS IS's have a extremely good reliability rating of 783/999. The score was calculated from the average of every LEXUS IS that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the LEXUS IS.

LEXUS IS (example)

Check the reliability of your Lexus IS

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Hybrid Electric	2019	844/999Excellent	73,892 miles	842 vehicles
Hybrid Electric	2018	808/999Excellent	76,017 miles	1,015 vehicles
Hybrid Electric	2016	770/999Very good	76,171 miles	2,011 vehicles
Hybrid Electric	2015	755/999Very good	76,092 miles	1,598 vehicles
Hybrid Electric	2013	739/999Very good	77,316 miles	883 vehicles

How reliable is the LEXUS IS?

Based on 2,323 MOT tests from 204 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

204

MOT tests

2,323

Pass rate

86.3%

Median mileage

88,347 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every LEXUS IS has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 706 out of 999.

Common LEXUS IS MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 392 advisory comments and 79 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 76 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 28 advisory comments and 7 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 21 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Headlamp faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 18 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a headlamp that was not working, insecure, or aimed incorrectly.

What to inspect

Switch on dipped and main beam and look for a cloudy lens or a wrong aim.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE HEADLAMP NOT WORKING ON DIPPED BEAM (4.1.1 (A) (II))

Lambda sensor issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 7 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lambda sensor reading or defect noted at the test.

What to inspect

Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST LAMBDA READING AFTER 2ND FAST IDLE OUTSIDE SPECIFIED LIMITS (8.2.1.2 (C))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 6 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT WINDSCREEN WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDSCREEN EFFECTIVELY (3.4 (B) (II))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 5 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

LEXUS IS MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2019	16	88	87.5%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2018	13	94	87.2%	Tyre wear, Headlamp faults
2017	15	122	93.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2016	21	190	88.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	31	319	87.5%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2014	40	489	86.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013	29	343	87.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2012	6	85	82.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear

What to check when buying a used LEXUS IS

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Headlamp faults. Switch on dipped and main beam and look for a cloudy lens or a wrong aim.
Lambda sensor issues. Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.
Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Buying a LEXUS IS?

Common problems tell you what can affect LEXUS ISs generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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