Executive car · 2014–2021 cars
Lexus RC reliability
The Lexus RC fails 9.6% of first MOT tests, 43% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 7,736 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Lexus RC before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 9.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 43% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 7,736
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,300
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Lexus RC ages
Each point is the share of Lexus RCs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Lexus RC | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8.3% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 7.9% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 9.6% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 10.1% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 13.3% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 8.1% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 5.9% | 28.8% |
By year
The best and worst Lexus RC years
2019 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 447 | 8.1% | 32% fewer fails | 25,293 |
| 2019 RC | 1,185 | 6.8% | 47% fewer fails | 28,722 |
| 2018 RC | 1,559 | 7.8% | 46% fewer fails | 32,021 |
| 2017 RC | 1,506 | 11.3% | 32% fewer fails | 39,219 |
| 2016 RC | 2,180 | 11.6% | 41% fewer fails | 47,221 |
| 2015 | 815 | 9.6% | 58% fewer fails | 51,886 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Lexus RC
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres5.3%5% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2%41% below avg
- Brakes1.4%54% below avg
- Lights and electrics1.3%70% below avg
- Suspension0.4%87% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.3%17% above avg
- Wheels0.1%69% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.1%95% below avg
- Steering0%95% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.91% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.53% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.31% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.8% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.5% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 6
Headlamp aim set too low 0.36% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 7
Tyre bulge from structural failure 0.35% of tests
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
- 8
LED or HID headlamp cleaner inoperative 0.32% of tests
Without a working cleaner, dirt can build up on LED or HID lenses and reduce light output, so repair is needed.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Lexus RC's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit11.36%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking4.37%
- Brake pads wearing thin3%
- Brake disc pitted or scored2.46%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit2.21%
- Tyre has a shallow cut1.64%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Lexus RC
- 1
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
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.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre 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 RC covers about 7,300 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
- Hybrid84.3%
- Petrol15.7%
Most common colours
Red, Black, Blue, White, Silver
Average engine size: 2.8 litres.
Compare
How the Lexus RC compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| BMW M6 | 10.5% | 59% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| BMW Alpina | 16.1% | 54% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Audi S5 | 16.9% | 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Audi S4 | 15.6% | 49% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Lexus RC | 9.6% | 43% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Audi Allroad | 27.8% | 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Infiniti Q50 | 19.9% | 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every executive car ranked in the executive car reliability index, or all Lexus models.
Questions
Lexus RC questions, answered
Is the Lexus RC reliable?
On MOT results, the Lexus RC is better than average: it fails 9.6% of first MOT tests, 43% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 11 of 40 executive car models in our index.
What fails most on a Lexus RC MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Lexus RC are tyre ply or cords exposed (1.91% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.53% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.31% of tests). By area, tyres fails 5.3% of its tests.
Which Lexus RC year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2019 cars do best (47% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Lexus RC do a year?
A typical Lexus RC covers about 7,300 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 RC 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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