2008 Lexus Is250 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,475 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Lexus Is250, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and tyres. Its pass rate of 83.9% was above the average for cars of a similar age (75.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 21.9% in the 150k+ group versus 7.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.0% | 943 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.1% | 581 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.8% | 546 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.4% | 317 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 285 |
| 6 | Suspension | 2.1% | 198 |
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 | 537 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 444 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 389 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 310 |
| 5 | Wipers | 251 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 243 |
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 | 26.6% | 2,520 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.0% | 2,178 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.4% | 1,180 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.6% | 1,006 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.0% | 943 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 667 |
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 | 115 | 7.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,159 | 10.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,710 | 13.6% |
| 90-120k | 2,872 | 17.3% |
| 120-150k | 1,670 | 19.3% |
| 150k+ | 948 | 21.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 9,414 | 16.1% |
| Diesel | 61 | 16.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,981 | 14.4% |
| 2022 | 1,968 | 16.0% |
| 2023 | 1,958 | 17.3% |
| 2024 | 1,838 | 16.8% |
| 2025 | 1,730 | 16.0% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Is250
Before buying a 2008 Lexus Is250, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 10.0% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (10.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.1% 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 (5.8% 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 Is250s pass their MOT?
83.9% of the 9,475 2008 Lexus Is250 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Lexus Is250?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.0% of tests, followed by brakes (6.1%).
Does the 2008 Is250 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 21.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,475 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.