LEXUS IS200 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 1,182 MOT tests from 55 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 IS200 has the same fault.

LEXUS IS200's have a average reliability rating of 499/999. The score was calculated from the average of every LEXUS IS200 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.

LEXUS IS200 (example)

Check the reliability of your Lexus IS200

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Petrol	2003	489/999Average	85,432 miles	1,230 vehicles
Petrol	2002	497/999Average	82,870 miles	1,595 vehicles
Petrol	2001	511/999Above average	85,870 miles	2,443 vehicles

How reliable is the LEXUS IS200?

Based on 1,182 MOT tests from 55 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

MOT tests

1,182

Pass rate

80%

Median mileage

124,773 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every LEXUS IS200 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 501 out of 999.

Common LEXUS IS200 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 199 advisory comments and 35 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: NEARSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO THE LEGAL LIMIT (4.1.E.1)

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 41 advisory comments and 5 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 (3.5.1G)

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 35 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER HAS A LIGHT MISTING OF OIL (2.7.3)

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 23 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))

Lamp and bulb 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 lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP(S) NOT WORKING (1.1.A.3B)

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 16 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 coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 14 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a number plate that was deteriorated, insecure, or did not meet the plate rules.

What to inspect

Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Example MOT wording: REAR REGISTRATION PLATE DETERIORATED BUT NOT LIKELY TO BE MISREAD (0.1 (B))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 12 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))

LEXUS IS200 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
2005	10	217	80.6%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2004	13	276	80.1%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2003	10	234	82.1%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2002	6	136	75%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2001	8	170	81.8%	Brake disc wear, Tyre wear

What to check when buying a used LEXUS IS200

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 pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Buying a LEXUS IS200?

Common problems tell you what can affect LEXUS IS200s 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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