Family hatchback · 2011–2021 cars
Lexus CT reliability
The Lexus CT fails 15.5% of first MOT tests, 40% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 99,949 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Lexus CT before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 15.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 40% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 99,949
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,200
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Lexus CT ages
Each point is the share of Lexus CTs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Lexus CT | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9.5% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 9.4% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 11.1% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 11.4% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 12.8% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 14.7% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 16.7% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 19.6% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 19.9% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 22.8% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 23.6% | 39.5% |
By year
The best and worst Lexus CT years
2014 cars come out best and 2020 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 CT | 2,091 | 9.8% | 18% fewer fails | 24,635 |
| 2019 CT | 5,135 | 9.4% | 31% fewer fails | 30,860 |
| 2018 CT | 9,180 | 10.1% | 32% fewer fails | 33,823 |
| 2017 CT | 9,752 | 11.3% | 34% fewer fails | 41,288 |
| 2016 CT | 9,894 | 11.9% | 43% fewer fails | 52,630 |
| 2015 CT | 11,482 | 14.1% | 41% fewer fails | 60,593 |
| 2014 CT | 12,551 | 14.1% | 49% fewer fails | 70,123 |
| 2013 CT | 12,322 | 20.3% | 35% fewer fails | 79,827 |
| 2012 CT | 14,498 | 20% | 42% fewer fails | 90,276 |
| 2011 CT | 12,913 | 21.6% | 41% fewer fails | 94,195 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Lexus CT
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics6%36% below avg
- Tyres5%19% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.1%23% below avg
- Brakes3%47% below avg
- Suspension1.2%84% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.5%77% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.4%84% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.3%19% below avg
- Wheels0.2%39% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.99% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.93% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.26% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.14% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 5
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.13% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 6
Registration plate lamp not working 0.97% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
- 7
Headlamp aim set too low 0.79% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 8
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.76% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Lexus CT's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit10.65%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.43%
- Brake pads wearing thin6.09%
- Brake disc pitted or scored4.35%
- Tyre has a shallow cut2.79%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear2.22%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Lexus CT
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Dipped beam headlamp not working
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Lexus CT covers about 8,200 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Hybrid88%
- Other5.7%
- Petrol3.4%
- Electric2.9%
- Diesel0%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Black, White, Grey, Blue, Red
Average engine size: 1.8 litres.
Compare
How the Lexus CT compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lexus CT | 15.5% | 40% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Ioniq | 12.5% | 26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo C30 | 40% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Giulietta | 30.4% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo V50 | 44.3% | 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Leaf | 20% | 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën Xsara | 50.4% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Lexus models.
Questions
Lexus CT questions, answered
Is the Lexus CT reliable?
On MOT results, the Lexus CT is better than average: it fails 15.5% of first MOT tests, 40% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 2 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Lexus CT MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Lexus CT are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.99% of tests), dipped beam headlamp not working (1.93% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.26% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 6% of its tests.
Which Lexus CT year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2014 cars do best (49% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2020 cars do worst (18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Lexus CT do a year?
A typical Lexus CT covers about 8,200 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Lexus CT before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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