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Lexus RX reliability by build year

Coverage 2003-present4 named generationsSUVHYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

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

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

Key figure

8% of MOT tests on Lexus RXes 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 RXes built around 2018 involves the tyres.

What to check before viewing

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

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.

Brake pads

High priority

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

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 RX's generation

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

Lexus RX 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
Mk4 (AL20) (2016-2022)
Excellent
Excellent7.6%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 1,815 MOT tests at this age
Mk3 (AL10) (2009-2015)
Excellent
Excellent13.0%built around 2015 (10 years old)from 1,622 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the RX, 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 RX fail rate by age

This chart combines every Lexus RX 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
2,3864.3%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
1,7845.1%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
1,7904.9%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
2,1945.6%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
1,8157.6%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
1,9937.4%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
1,8469.3%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
1,62213.0%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
1,89312.6%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1,63913.6%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
29815.1%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
8425.0%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
7919.0%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
5922.0%

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 14 years old.

Where the Lexus RX 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

1st of 4

Among the lowest fail rates of the 4 Lexus models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

2nd of 89

2nd lowest fail rate of 89 SUVs with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the lowest third

7.6%

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 RXes

These issues come from 7-year-old Lexus RXes, 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

    15.9%
    Advisory: 474Fail: 20 (4% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    9.3%
    Advisory: 321Fail: 6 (2% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    8.8%
    Advisory: 217Fail: 29 (12% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    6.3%
    Advisory: 129Fail: 15 (10% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    6.1%
    Advisory: 168Fail: 4 (2% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,815 MOT tests on 7-year-old Lexus RXes, every generation combined.

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Lexus RXes 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 + Tyres34%
  2. Suspension + Tyres30%
  3. Brakes + Suspension21%
  4. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers14%

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

Across 291 MOT tests on Lexus RX 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

90%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

14 recalls in all

9 of the 14 Lexus RX recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 9 recalls

Top concerns

  • Fuel pump impeller can crack and cause fuel pump to become inoprative
  • Steering may be affected
  • Vehicle may loose power

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 RX 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%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 0.9%, against 1.3% for the Lexus RX.

    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 RX 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 RX 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 RX across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. It has among the lowest fail rates of the 4 Lexus models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 1,815 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 RX ever sold: 19,482 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 1,815 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.