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Lexus GS reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 61,255 MOT tests of cars first registered 1998–2018.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
78.4%pass first time
+15.2 ptsvs typical car
Beats 98%of cars
61,255MOT tests

Verdict

The Lexus GS passes its MOT first time on 78.4% of tests, 15.2 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (63.2%). That puts it ahead of 98% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2012 GS does best (beats 100% of cars) and the 1998 worst (beats 84%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, brakes, suspension.

Watch these weak spots

Stability control (ESC)4.8×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%100%3456789101112131415161718192091%90%89%88%81%76%73%71%70%
Lexus GSTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1998
Beats 84%
1999
Beats 89%
2000
Beats 87%
2001
Beats 94%
2002
Beats 88%
2003
Beats 92%
2005
Beats 96%
2006
Beats 95%
2007
Beats 97%
2008
Beats 99%
2009
Beats 99%
2010
Beats 98%
2012
Beats 100%
2013
Beats 100%
2014
Beats 99%
2015
Beats 100%
2016
Beats 100%
2017
Beats 100%
2018
Beats 99%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Petrol1998–200826,02370.1%Beats 94%A
2.5 Hybrid2014–201814,64390.3%Beats 100%A
3.5 Hybrid2006–201313,96079.1%Beats 99%A
2.5 Petrol2012–20135,29086.0%Beats 99%A
4.3 Petrol2005–20051,33975.4%Beats 99%A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 3.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 4.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 13.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 8.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 16.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 5.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 6.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 8.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 16.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+8.2 ptsTyres: 5.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.3 ptsBrakes: 6.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+3.3 ptsSuspension: 4.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 13.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+8.9 ptsExhaust: 3.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.9 ptsSuspension: 4.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 13.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 6.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 5.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 8.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 16.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 3.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 8.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 16.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+8.2 ptsTyres: 5.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.3 ptsBrakes: 6.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 10.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+3.3 ptsSuspension: 4.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 13.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+8.9 ptsExhaust: 3.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.9 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 5.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
8.5% vs 16.6%
Brakes
6.8% vs 10.1%
Tyres
5.7% vs 7.0%
Suspension
4.4% vs 13.2%
Visibility
3.2% vs 6.2%
Emissions & leaks
3.0% vs 5.0%
Body & structure
1.7% vs 5.9%
Steering
0.4% vs 2.9%
Seat belts & airbags
0.3% vs 1.9%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Headlight bulbs & units
    Check dipped and main beam on both sides.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k93%89%86%81%76%71%69%70%
Lexus GSTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking3.4%3.7%0.9×
Headlight aim3.0%4.6%0.7×
Sidelights2.5%4.2%0.6×
Brake pads2.1%2.1%1.0×
Headlight bulbs & units2.0%3.2%0.6×
Windscreen wipers2.0%2.8%0.7×
Tyre tread depth1.9%3.0%0.6×
Shock absorbers1.9%1.4%1.3×
Engine warning light1.9%1.6%1.2×
Handbrake performance1.5%2.3%0.7×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements30.0
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning20.2
A tyre seriously damaged19.5
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen19.4
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm19.1
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction19.0
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements19.0
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage17.9
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2018 Lexus GS1 engine91.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Hybrid1,37091.8%Beats 99%A
2017 Lexus GS1 engine91.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Hybrid2,30791.9%Beats 100%A
2016 Lexus GS1 engine91.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Hybrid4,12491.0%Beats 100%A
2015 Lexus GS1 engine90.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Hybrid3,04990.5%Beats 100%A
2014 Lexus GS1 engine87.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Hybrid3,79387.8%Beats 99%A
2013 Lexus GS2 engines87.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Petrol3,18186.0%Beats 99%A
3.5 Hybrid1,52089.5%Beats 100%A
2012 Lexus GS2 engines86.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.5 Hybrid2,37687.6%Beats 100%A
2.5 Petrol2,10985.9%Beats 99%A
2010 Lexus GS1 engine78.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.5 Hybrid1,12378.5%Beats 98%A
2009 Lexus GS1 engine78.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.5 Hybrid1,53378.0%Beats 99%A
2008 Lexus GS2 engines76.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.5 Hybrid2,30677.0%Beats 99%A
3.0 Petrol1,60076.7%Beats 98%A
2007 Lexus GS2 engines74.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.5 Hybrid2,92474.4%Beats 98%A
3.0 Petrol2,90373.5%Beats 97%A
2006 Lexus GS2 engines71.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Petrol4,52571.0%Beats 95%A
3.5 Hybrid2,17871.9%Beats 96%A
2005 Lexus GS2 engines71.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Petrol7,35970.3%Beats 95%A
4.3 Petrol1,33975.4%Beats 99%A
2003 Lexus GS1 engine67.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Petrol1,47767.7%Beats 92%A
2002 Lexus GS1 engine65.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Petrol1,69665.4%Beats 88%A
2001 Lexus GS1 engine69.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Petrol1,61769.1%Beats 94%A
2000 Lexus GS1 engine66.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Petrol1,28166.4%Beats 87%A
1999 Lexus GS1 engine68.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Petrol1,53968.0%Beats 89%A
1998 Lexus GS1 engine67.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Petrol2,02667.0%Beats 84%A

FAQ

What is the Lexus GS MOT pass rate?

78.4% of MOT tests on the Lexus GS were passed first time, based on 61,255 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1998–2018. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 63.2% of the time.

Is the Lexus GS reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 98% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Lexus GS year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2012 GS does best for its age and mileage: it beats 100% of cars on UK roads. The 1998 does worst: it beats 84%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Lexus GS?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, headlight aim, sidelights. Compared with similar cars, stability control (ESC) comes up 4.8× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.