Executive car · 1996–2021 cars

Lexus GS reliability

The Lexus GS fails 19.4% of first MOT tests, 45% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 28,957 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 91/100#10 of 40 executive cars

Checking a Lexus GS before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 19.4%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 45% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 28,957; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 7,900; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the Lexus GS ages

Each point is the share of Lexus GSs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Lexus GSAll cars

Lexus GS first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Lexus GS	All cars
4	7.7%	14.1%
5	7.4%	16.4%
6	7.7%	19.1%
7	9.2%	22.1%
8	10.5%	25.5%
9	10.2%	28.8%
10	11.5%	31.8%
11	14.2%	34.6%
12	16.8%	37.3%
13	24.7%	39.5%
14	20.3%	41.1%
15	24.8%	42.3%
16	25.4%	42.9%
17	27.4%	43.4%
18	28.6%	43.5%
19	27.4%	43.4%
20	30.6%	42.8%
21	28.5%	41.4%
22	27.5%	40.6%
23	27.7%	38.9%
24	27.7%	37.1%
25	25.5%	35.8%

By year

The best and worst Lexus GS years

2013 cars come out best and 2005 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Lexus GS MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2018	906	7.5%	52% fewer fails	36,140
2017 GS	1,363	7.6%	57% fewer fails	42,449
2016 GS	2,195	8.3%	61% fewer fails	54,170
2015 GS	1,319	9.2%	61% fewer fails	59,757
2014 GS	1,773	11.6%	57% fewer fails	69,979
2013 GS	2,114	10.8%	64% fewer fails	70,904
2012 GS	2,079	13.8%	58% fewer fails	78,121
2011	234	15%	58% fewer fails	88,757
2010	661	22.5%	42% fewer fails	95,711
2009 GS	1,290	19.8%	51% fewer fails	88,915
2008 GS	1,939	21.8%	48% fewer fails	104,406
2007 GS	2,818	24.4%	44% fewer fails	112,419
2006 GS	3,008	27.2%	38% fewer fails	111,510
2005 GS	3,234	28.8%	34% fewer fails	108,630
2004	319	28.2%	37% fewer fails	115,599
2003	704	28.1%	36% fewer fails	110,137
2002	693	30.6%	30% fewer fails	121,946
2001	723	26.1%	39% fewer fails	114,606
2000	376	30.6%	27% fewer fails	118,262
1999	505	28.5%	28% fewer fails	114,106
1998	505	30.5%	22% fewer fails	126,970

Common problems

What fails most on a Lexus GS

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics7.8%51% below avg
Brakes6%38% below avg
Tyres5.1%23% below avg
Suspension3.9%69% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.8%43% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.5%57% below avg
Body, chassis and structure1.8%70% below avg
Number plates and VIN0.4%27% below avg
Steering0.4%86% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Position lamp not working 1.98% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
2
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 1.57% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
3
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.46% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.42% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.41% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
6
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.37% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
7
Headlamp aim set too low 1.35% 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 1.08% 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 GS's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit11.65%
Brake pads wearing thin5.91%
Shock absorber light oil misting5.36%
Brake disc pitted or scored5.24%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking4.88%
Exhaust has minor gas leak3.6%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Lexus GS

1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
2
Engine warning light inoperative or lit
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
3
Shock absorber serious fluid leak
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
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 GS covers about 7,900 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

Petrol48.4%
Hybrid41.9%
Other8.5%
Electric1%
LPG0.2%
Diesel0%

Most common colours

Silver, Black, Blue, Grey, Red

Average engine size: 3.1 litres.

Compare

How the Lexus GS compares with its rivals

Lexus GS against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Lexus GS	19.4%	45% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volvo S90	11.7%	32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volvo S80	30.5%	24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Tesla Model S	16.8%	20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volvo V90	14.4%	18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Alfa Romeo Giulia	13.3%	17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz CLC	42.8%	7% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every executive car ranked in the executive car reliability index, or all Lexus models.

Questions

Lexus GS questions, answered

Is the Lexus GS reliable?

On MOT results, the Lexus GS is better than average: it fails 19.4% of first MOT tests, 45% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 10 of 40 executive car models in our index.

What fails most on a Lexus GS MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Lexus GS are position lamp not working (1.98% of tests), engine warning light inoperative or lit (1.57% of tests), shock absorber serious fluid leak (1.46% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 7.8% of its tests.

Which Lexus GS year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2013 cars do best (64% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2005 cars do worst (34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Lexus GS do a year?

A typical Lexus GS covers about 7,900 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 GS 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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