2003 Lexus Rx300 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,963 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Lexus Rx300, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 77.9% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 27.1% in the 150k+ group versus 17.5% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 11.1% | 439 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 10.0% | 398 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.0% | 355 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.8% | 229 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.2% | 167 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.7% | 145 |
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 | 171 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 169 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 156 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 154 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 146 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 130 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 37.4% | 1,481 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.3% | 1,041 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.9% | 985 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 19.1% | 758 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 637 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.3% | 567 |
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 | 40 | 17.5% |
| 30-60k | 132 | 9.8% |
| 60-90k | 608 | 19.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,194 | 20.5% |
| 120-150k | 1,172 | 22.8% |
| 150k+ | 802 | 27.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,141 | 22.7% |
| 2022 | 985 | 22.8% |
| 2023 | 760 | 22.0% |
| 2024 | 602 | 21.6% |
| 2025 | 475 | 20.0% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Rx300
Before buying a 2003 Lexus Rx300, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 11.1% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (11.1% 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.
- 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.
- Suspension (9.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 2003 Lexus Rx300s pass their MOT?
77.9% of the 3,963 2003 Lexus Rx300 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Lexus Rx300?
Brakes, recorded in 11.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (10.0%).
Does the 2003 Rx300 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.5% in the 0-30k band to 27.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,963 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.