Large SUV · 1998–2021 cars

Lexus RX reliability

The Lexus RX fails 19.2% of first MOT tests, 43% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 123,605 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 89/100#6 of 30 large suvs

Checking a Lexus RX before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 19.2%; 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: 123,605; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 8,500; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the Lexus RX ages

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

Lexus RXAll cars

Lexus RX first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Lexus RX	All cars
3	4.5%	12.3%
4	5.5%	14.1%
5	6.3%	16.4%
6	6.9%	19.1%
7	8.7%	22.1%
8	11.1%	25.5%
9	13.1%	28.8%
10	15.8%	31.8%
11	18.5%	34.6%
12	21.8%	37.3%
13	22.4%	39.5%
14	25.7%	41.1%
15	26.9%	42.3%
16	29.3%	42.9%
17	30.8%	43.4%
18	30.6%	43.5%
19	30.6%	43.4%
20	34.3%	42.8%
21	35.5%	41.4%
22	42%	40.6%

By year

The best and worst Lexus RX years

2018 cars come out best and 2003 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Lexus RX MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021	835	2.8%	76% fewer fails	23,230
2020 RX	3,425	4.2%	66% fewer fails	28,311
2019 RX	6,597	5.7%	58% fewer fails	31,952
2018 RX	6,642	5%	67% fewer fails	37,530
2017 RX	6,929	6.7%	62% fewer fails	45,692
2016 RX	8,290	7.3%	65% fewer fails	53,657
2015 RX	4,447	11.1%	55% fewer fails	62,346
2014 RX	5,683	12.6%	55% fewer fails	71,380
2013 RX	6,527	13.5%	57% fewer fails	80,753
2012 RX	6,099	17.3%	50% fewer fails	88,085
2011 RX	6,278	21.4%	43% fewer fails	98,844
2010 RX	8,893	22.7%	44% fewer fails	108,638
2009 RX	8,519	24.5%	42% fewer fails	114,509
2008 RX	8,804	25.7%	41% fewer fails	121,961
2007 RX	10,513	29.2%	34% fewer fails	128,565
2006 RX	8,839	29.4%	35% fewer fails	130,567
2005 RX	7,592	30.5%	33% fewer fails	126,497
2004 RX	4,904	31%	31% fewer fails	117,205
2003 RX	2,248	32.8%	27% fewer fails	120,647
2002	815	41.8%	5% fewer fails	120,495
2001	588	40%	7% fewer fails	120,966

Common problems

What fails most on a Lexus RX

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

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics7.4%50% below avg
Suspension5.4%55% below avg
Brakes5%44% below avg
Tyres4.1%40% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.8%48% below avg
Body, chassis and structure1.4%73% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.3%69% below avg
Number plates and VIN0.6%26% above avg
Wheels0.4%27% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Position lamp not working 3.13% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.51% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.24% 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 1.21% 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 cut reaching ply or cords 1.03% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
6
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 0.87% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
7
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.85% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
8
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 0.8% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Lexus RX's MOT certificate most often.

Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear12.83%
Tyre worn close to legal limit12.81%
Brake disc pitted or scored7.52%
Brake pads wearing thin5.81%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.61%
Shock absorber light oil misting3.06%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Lexus RX

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
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 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 RX covers about 8,500 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

Hybrid64.7%
Other21.4%
Petrol13.7%
LPG0.1%
Electric0.1%
Diesel0%

Most common colours

Silver, Black, Grey, Blue, White

Average engine size: 3.4 litres.

Compare

How the Lexus RX compares with its rivals

Lexus RX against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Porsche Cayenne	13.8%	52% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Lexus RX	19.2%	43% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz GLE	10.6%	42% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz M-Class	27%	29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volkswagen Touareg	22.5%	26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Land Rover Range Rover Velar	13.7%	13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mitsubishi Shogun	33.1%	11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age

Every large suv ranked in the large suv reliability index, or all Lexus models.

Questions

Lexus RX questions, answered

Is the Lexus RX reliable?

On MOT results, the Lexus RX is better than average: it fails 19.2% of first MOT tests, 43% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 6 of 30 large suv models in our index.

What fails most on a Lexus RX MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Lexus RX are position lamp not working (3.13% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.51% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.24% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 7.4% of its tests.

Which Lexus RX year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2018 cars do best (67% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2003 cars do worst (27% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Lexus RX do a year?

A typical Lexus RX covers about 8,500 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 RX 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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