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Lexus NX reliability by build year

Coverage 2014-present2 named generationsSUVHYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

Lexus NX built around 2018: fails its MOT less often than average

Lexus NXes built around 2018 fail their MOT less often than similar cars the same age.

Key figure

10% of MOT tests on Lexus NXes built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Lexus NXes built around 2018 involves the tyres.

What to check before viewing

The Lexus NX's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your NX's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Lexus NX generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk2 (AZ20) (2022-present)
Excellent
Excellent5.1%built around 2022 (3 years old)from 3,800 MOT tests at this age
Mk1 (AZ10) (2014-2021)
Excellent
Excellent9.5%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 4,706 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the NX, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

Lexus NX fail rate by age

This chart combines every Lexus NX ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
3,8005.1%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
4,7507.6%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
4,5458.7%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
4,7318.9%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
4,7069.5%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
3,95410.0%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
4,02511.3%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
2,67113.0%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
2638.4%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 10 years old.

Where the Lexus NX stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

3rd of 4

3rd lowest fail rate of 4 Lexus models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

4th of 89

4th lowest fail rate of 89 SUVs with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the lowest third

9.5%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Lexus NXes

These issues come from 7-year-old Lexus NXes, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    16.2%
    Advisory: 1,210Fail: 62 (5% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    11.8%
    Advisory: 880Fail: 83 (9% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    9.3%
    Advisory: 675Fail: 49 (7% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    8.3%
    Advisory: 423Fail: 54 (11% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    6.9%
    Advisory: 439Fail: 4 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 4,706 MOT tests on 7-year-old Lexus NXes, every generation combined.

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Lexus NXes notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Tyres35%
  2. Suspension + Tyres32%
  3. Brakes + Suspension22%
  4. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers13%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 851 MOT tests on Lexus NX cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

88%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

9 recalls in all

8 of the 9 Lexus NX recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 7 more

Top concerns

  • DC-DC converter may have been damaged during production
  • Certain spot welds might be missing.
  • Parking brake may not activate correctly

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs to compare

  1. 1

    Mitsubishi Eclipse

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.4%

    No clear edge over the Lexus NX on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,969 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Volkswagen T-Roc

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    No clear edge over the Lexus NX on these figures.

    9,233 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Skoda Karoq

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4.3%

    No clear edge over the Lexus NX on these figures.

    8,610 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Audi Q2

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    4.3%

    No clear edge over the Lexus NX on these figures.

    15,997 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Lexus NX across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. It has the 3rd lowest fail rate of 4 Lexus models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 4,706 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Lexus NX ever sold: 33,445 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 4,706 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.