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Lexus NX reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 171,044 MOT tests of cars first registered 2014–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
91.0%pass first time
+8.3 ptsvs typical car
Beats 99%of cars
171,044MOT tests

Verdict

The Lexus NX passes its MOT first time on 91.0% of tests, 8.3 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (82.7%). That puts it ahead of 99% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2015 NX does best (beats 99% of cars) and the 2019 worst (beats 98%).

Better than average on tyres, visibility, lights & electrics.

MOT pass rate by age

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

60%70%80%90%100%3456789101194%93%91%90%89%89%88%86%86%
Lexus NXTypical 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.

2014
Beats 100%
2015
Beats 99%
2016
Beats 99%
2017
Beats 99%
2018
Beats 99%
2019
Beats 98%
2020
Beats 98%
2021
Beats 96%
2022
Beats 100%
2023
Beats 100%

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
2.5 Hybrid2014–2023171,04491.0%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: 0.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.2% 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: 0.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.9% 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: 1.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.6% 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: 3.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.5% 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: 1.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.2% 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: 1.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.6% 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+3.1 ptsTyres: 3.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.5% 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+2.2 ptsBrakes: 1.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.2% 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+2.1 ptsSuspension: 0.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.9% 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+1.9 ptsExhaust: 0.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.2% 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+1.1 ptsSuspension: 0.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.9% 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: 1.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.2% 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: 3.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.5% 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: 1.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.6% 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: 0.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.2% 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: 1.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 4.6% 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+3.1 ptsTyres: 3.3% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.5% 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+2.2 ptsBrakes: 1.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.2% 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+2.1 ptsSuspension: 0.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 2.9% 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+1.9 ptsExhaust: 0.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.2% 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+1.1 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Exhaust: 0.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.2% 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.

Every MOT area

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

Tyres
3.3% vs 5.5%
Visibility
2.7% vs 3.4%
Lights & electrics
1.5% vs 4.6%
Brakes
1.1% vs 3.2%
Suspension
0.9% vs 2.9%
Seat belts & airbags
0.2% vs 0.4%
Body & structure
0.2% vs 0.9%
Wheels
0.1% vs 0.2%
Steering
0.0% vs 0.6%
Emissions & leaks
0.0% vs 1.2%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • 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.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Tyre pressure warning (TPMS)
    Make sure no tyre-pressure warning light stays on after start-up.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k97%94%90%88%87%83%
Lexus NXTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Windscreen wipers2.4%2.0%1.2×
Tyre damage & cracking2.1%3.3%0.6×
Headlight aim1.1%1.7%0.6×
Tyre tread depth0.8%1.9%0.4×
Brake pads0.7%1.7%0.4×
Tyre pressure warning (TPMS)0.6%0.6%0.9×
Suspension arm bushes0.5%0.4%1.2×
Windscreen washers0.2%1.3%0.2×
Seat belt condition0.2%0.2%1.1×
Number plates0.2%0.2%0.9×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen23.7
A tyre seriously damaged14.1
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements11.3
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements7.8
A tyre cords visible or damaged6.7
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm6.5
A tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative5.4
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn5.3
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.

2023 Lexus NX1 engine95.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Hybrid1,76195.2%Beats 100%A
2022 Lexus NX1 engine95.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Hybrid5,39795.0%Beats 100%A
2021 Lexus NX1 engine92.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Hybrid12,65692.3%Beats 96%A
2020 Lexus NX1 engine92.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Hybrid15,60992.4%Beats 98%A
2019 Lexus NX1 engine91.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Hybrid21,74591.7%Beats 98%A
2018 Lexus NX1 engine91.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Hybrid25,91491.5%Beats 99%A
2017 Lexus NX1 engine91.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Hybrid25,75391.0%Beats 99%A
2016 Lexus NX1 engine90.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Hybrid28,72290.0%Beats 99%A
2015 Lexus NX1 engine89.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Hybrid26,43889.2%Beats 99%A
2014 Lexus NX1 engine88.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Hybrid7,04988.8%Beats 100%A

FAQ

What is the Lexus NX MOT pass rate?

91.0% of MOT tests on the Lexus NX were passed first time, based on 171,044 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2014–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 82.7% of the time.

Is the Lexus NX 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 99% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Lexus NX year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2015 NX does best for its age and mileage: it beats 99% of cars on UK roads. The 2019 does worst: it beats 98%.

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

The most common failure items are windscreen wipers, tyre damage & cracking, headlight aim.

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.