2021 Lexus Es — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,861 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Lexus Es, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 96.0% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.3%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.2% | 92 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.4% | 39 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 0.8% | 22 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.4% | 11 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.3% | 8 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.2% | 5 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 44 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 26 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 22 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 8 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 8 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 6 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 16.4% | 469 |
| 2 | Other defects | 2.8% | 80 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.5% | 72 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.5% | 44 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.5% | 15 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.3% | 9 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,620 | 2.4% |
| 30-60k | 936 | 6.6% |
| 60-90k | 191 | 5.8% |
| 90-120k | 70 | 5.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 33 | 0.0% |
| 2023 | 114 | 0.9% |
| 2024 | 1,341 | 3.5% |
| 2025 | 1,369 | 5.0% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Es
Before buying a 2021 Lexus Es, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 3.2% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (3.2% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (1.4% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (0.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 Lexus Ess pass their MOT?
96.0% of the 2,861 2021 Lexus Es MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Lexus Es?
Tyres, recorded in 3.2% of tests, followed by visibility (1.4%).
Does the 2021 Es get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.4% in the 0-30k band to 5.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,861 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.