2008 Lexus Is220 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,653 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Lexus Is220, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and tyres. Its pass rate of 80.6% was above the average for cars of a similar age (75.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 21.5% in the 150k+ group versus 10.9% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 931 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.3% | 549 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.8% | 449 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.9% | 258 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.0% | 198 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.4% | 161 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 547 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 427 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 393 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 333 |
| 5 | Wipers | 241 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 201 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 30.7% | 2,043 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.2% | 2,011 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.1% | 1,207 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.4% | 1,022 |
| 5 | Other defects | 12.1% | 807 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 549 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 184 | 10.9% |
| 60-90k | 857 | 16.6% |
| 90-120k | 2,179 | 18.1% |
| 120-150k | 2,069 | 21.3% |
| 150k+ | 1,351 | 21.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 6,585 | 19.4% |
| Petrol | 68 | 17.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,859 | 18.0% |
| 2022 | 1,604 | 20.0% |
| 2023 | 1,309 | 19.6% |
| 2024 | 1,092 | 20.8% |
| 2025 | 789 | 18.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Is220
Before buying a 2008 Lexus Is220, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 14.0% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (14.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Tyres (6.8% 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.
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 2008 Lexus Is220s pass their MOT?
80.6% of the 6,653 2008 Lexus Is220 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Lexus Is220?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.0% of tests, followed by brakes (8.3%).
Does the 2008 Is220 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.9% in the 30-60k band to 21.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,653 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.