2004 Lexus IS · 5,498 MOT tests
2004 Lexus IS reliability
2004 Lexus ISs fail 34% of first MOT tests, 22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 21 IS years (5,498 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Lexus ISs: 22.6%)
- 34%
- first-time fail rate (all Lexus ISs: 22.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 22% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 103,636
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 5,498
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- 2005 cars: 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: tyres, 7.6% of tests fail here (12% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 55% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Lexus IS
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics13.7%
- Suspension13%
- Tyres7.6%
- Brakes7.3%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.3%
- Body, chassis and structure4.1%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 4.6%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.91%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 3.78%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.47%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.22%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.04%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (14.31%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.37%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (8.33%) · Brake pads wearing thin (6.57%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (5.58%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (5.42%)
Other years
Every Lexus IS year
The full picture: Lexus IS reliability. Before you pay for any Lexus IS, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2004 Lexus IS reliable?
2004 Lexus ISs fail 34% of first MOT tests, 22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 21 IS years (5,498 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Lexus IS MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (4.6% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (3.91% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (3.78% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Lexus IS have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2004 Lexus IS shows 103,636 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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