Family SUV · 2014–2021 cars
Lexus NX reliability
The Lexus NX fails 9.2% of first MOT tests, 47% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 77,142 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Lexus NX before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 9.2%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 47% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 77,142
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,100
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Lexus NX ages
Each point is the share of Lexus NXs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Lexus NX | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 6.1% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 7.8% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 9.4% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 11% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 10.8% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 11.4% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 10.8% | 28.8% |
By year
The best and worst Lexus NX years
2014 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 NX | 1,623 | 6% | 48% fewer fails | 24,089 |
| 2020 NX | 7,458 | 6.8% | 44% fewer fails | 27,498 |
| 2019 NX | 12,342 | 7.3% | 44% fewer fails | 30,526 |
| 2018 NX | 15,642 | 8.1% | 45% fewer fails | 36,092 |
| 2017 NX | 13,298 | 10% | 42% fewer fails | 43,368 |
| 2016 NX | 12,956 | 10.6% | 48% fewer fails | 50,610 |
| 2015 NX | 10,882 | 11.5% | 52% fewer fails | 60,756 |
| 2014 NX | 2,941 | 11.4% | 57% fewer fails | 65,075 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Lexus NX
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres3.1%41% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.1%8% below avg
- Lights and electrics1.5%67% below avg
- Brakes1.1%65% below avg
- Suspension0.8%72% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.3%70% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.2%6% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.2%56% below avg
- Wheels0.1%74% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.39% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.01% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.6% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.59% 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 ply or cords exposed 0.52% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 6
Tyre pressure monitoring system faulty 0.5% of tests
A faulty tyre pressure monitor cannot warn about low tyre pressure, so check tyres manually and have the fault diagnosed.
- 7
Headlamp aim set too high 0.49% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 8
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 0.41% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Lexus NX's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit10.03%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking7.61%
- Brake pads wearing thin3.77%
- Brake disc pitted or scored3.71%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear3.24%
- Brake discs showing some wear1.92%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Lexus NX
- 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
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.
- 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
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 NX covers about 8,100 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
- Hybrid99.1%
- Petrol0.8%
- Other0.1%
- Electric0%
Most common colours
Silver, Black, White, Grey, Red
Average engine size: 2.5 litres.
Compare
How the Lexus NX compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lexus NX | 9.2% | 47% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| BMW X4 | 13% | 32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Kodiaq | 11% | 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Karoq | 9.6% | 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 37.4% | 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Antara | 42.5% | 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 5008 | 33.1% | 38% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family suv ranked in the family suv reliability index, or all Lexus models.
Questions
Lexus NX questions, answered
Is the Lexus NX reliable?
On MOT results, the Lexus NX is better than average: it fails 9.2% of first MOT tests, 47% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 3 of 59 family suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Lexus NX MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Lexus NX are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.39% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.01% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (0.6% of tests). By area, tyres fails 3.1% of its tests.
Which Lexus NX year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2014 cars do best (57% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (42% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Lexus NX do a year?
A typical Lexus NX covers about 8,100 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 NX 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.
Found a Lexus NX? Check it free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.