CARMOTIQ Model Research Report
Lexus RX
2016–2021
The Lexus RX MOT pass rate for cars first registered 2016–2021 is 94% across 42,612 official UK DVSA tests. 11,320 MOT defect notes on the Lexus RX come down to one thing: tyres worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge. That figure sits inside a broader picture most buyers will welcome — a 94% pass rate across 42,612 official DVSA tests for RX models first registered from 2016 to 2021, compiled at make-and-model level rather than from any single registration plate.
Unlike a registration check, this report analyses how thousands of similar Lexus RX models have performed at MOT over time—not just one vehicle.
Report Dataset
- Official UK DVSA MOT tests analysed
- 42,612
- Recorded defect notes
- 32,647
- Registration era
- 2016–2021
- Coverage
- United Kingdom
- Snapshot
- 17 August 2026
- Research method
- Aggregated model-level MOT analysis
MOT pass rate
94%
of MOT tests passed
MOT tests analysed
42,612
Defect notes recorded
32,647
Key Findings
Lexus RX (2016–2021)
- Lexus RX recorded a 94% MOT pass rate across 42,612 tests for 2016–2021 registrations.
- 22,704 of 32,647 defect notes are classed as owner maintenance — roughly seven in ten of all recorded items.
- Tyres worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge account for 11,320 notes, making them the single most frequent MOT finding.
- Systemic faults are uncommon at 259 recorded notes; engine MIL issues (11) and rear brake pipe corrosion (8) rank among the top entries.
- Wear-and-tear notes total 5,843 and rise in later MOT years — from 225 in 2021 to 1,856 in 2025 — as the fleet ages.
Lexus RX Research Summary
Independent reviews often praise the Lexus RX as a dependable premium SUV, and the MOT record for 2016–2021 examples largely aligns with that narrative. A 94% pass rate across 42,612 tests is a strong result for cars now in the 5–10 year registration band, particularly when cross-shopped against German rivals on reputation alone. Reputation and MOT outcomes can diverge on any model, but here the headline number supports what many buyers already assume about Lexus dependability.
Look beyond the pass rate and the picture becomes more practical. Of 32,647 defect notes, 22,704 are classed as owner maintenance — chiefly tyres (11,320), plus headlamp aim (465), TPMS faults (151), rear shock wear and minor items such as windscreen washers. Systemic issues barely register at 259 notes, while wear-and-tear entries (5,843) climb steadily from 2021 onwards as these cars accumulate miles. For a used buyer, that means the mechanical base appears sound in MOT terms, but forecourt time should focus on tyres, lights, suspension bushes and rear brake pipes — the areas where testers most often leave notes.
What this doesn't tell you
This report describes model-level MOT trends, not the condition of any individual vehicle.
Two identical Lexus RX models can have very different maintenance histories.
Use this report to understand common patterns before inspecting a specific car.
How we classify MOT faults
We group recorded DVSA defect wording into four research categories to help identify whether issues are more likely to reflect routine maintenance, expected wear, recurring model patterns or miscellaneous inspection outcomes.
- Owner maintenance
- Defects often linked to day-to-day upkeep — for example tyres, lamps, washers and other items a careful owner can usually prevent or fix promptly.
- Wear & tear
- Age- and mileage-related deterioration that accumulates with normal use, even when a car has been looked after.
- Systemic
- Recurring wording and patterns that appear across the model fleet and may point to design, component or known-model tendencies rather than one careless owner.
- Other
- Inspection outcomes that do not sit cleanly in the three groups above, including mixed or less classifiable defect notes.
How MOT failures break down
Share of recorded defect notes by category for Lexus RX in this age band (not MOT tests and not number of vehicles).
- Owner maintenance
69.5% · 22,704
defect notes
- Wear & tear
17.9% · 5,843
defect notes
- Systemic
0.8% · 259
defect notes
- Other
11.8% · 3,841
defect notes
Severity mix
How those defect notes were graded — advisory, minor, major or dangerous — summed across categories for this model band.
Advisory
28,018
defect notes
Minor
1,908
defect notes
Major
1,611
defect notes
Dangerous
1,110
defect notes
Most Common Owner-Maintenance Faults
DVSA wording grouped as owner maintenance for this model and age band.
Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
- Recorded
- 11,320 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 5.2.3 (e)
What it means
Tread is close to (or at) the legal minimum, or wear is concentrated on an edge. That often points to alignment, pressure or suspension issues as well as simple age.
Why it happens
Under-inflation, poor alignment, aggressive driving or simply delayed replacement push tread below a safe/legal profile.
Buyer tip
Measure tread across the full width, check tyre age (DOT date) and look for uneven inner-edge wear.
Severity
Usually maintenance related
Headlamp aim too low
- Recorded
- 465 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 4.1.2 (a)
What it means
This MOT defect usually indicates incorrect headlamp alignment following adjustment, suspension movement or repair work.
Why it happens
Aim drifts after suspension work, bumper repairs, bulb changes or simply from road vibration over time.
Buyer tip
Check beam alignment during inspection and ask whether the lamps were aimed after any recent suspension or bodywork.
Severity
Usually maintenance related
Tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative
- Recorded
- 151 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 5.2.3 (h)
What it means
The tyre pressure monitoring system is reporting a fault or is clearly not working, so you may not get a dashboard warning of under-inflation.
Why it happens
Flat battery sensors after tyre changes, damaged valves or control-module faults are common.
Buyer tip
Confirm whether sensors need replacing after recent tyre or wheel work, and check pressures manually anyway.
Severity
Usually maintenance related
Rear Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush
- Recorded
- 102 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 5.3.2 (c)
What it means
A damper mounting bush is worn, which can cause knocks, vague handling and accelerated tyre wear.
Why it happens
Rubber bushes harden and tear with age, road salt and repeated suspension movement.
Buyer tip
Listen for clunks over speed bumps and have a mechanic check top mounts and lower bushes.
Severity
Usually maintenance related
Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil
- Recorded
- 101 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 5.3.2 (b)
What it means
A damper mounting bush is worn, which can cause knocks, vague handling and accelerated tyre wear.
Why it happens
Rubber bushes harden and tear with age, road salt and repeated suspension movement.
Buyer tip
Listen for clunks over speed bumps and have a mechanic check top mounts and lower bushes.
Severity
Usually maintenance related
Windscreen washer not working
- Recorded
- 83 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 3.5 (a)
What it means
Washer jets are not delivering fluid. Testers need a clear screen; empty reservoirs, blocked jets or failed pumps are common.
Why it happens
Empty bottles, frozen/blocked jets, split pipes or a failed pump stop fluid reaching the screen.
Buyer tip
Top up fluid, test the jets on the driveway, and check for cracked bottles or split pipes in the engine bay.
Severity
Usually maintenance related
Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed
- Recorded
- 15 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 7.1.2 (b)
What it means
Seat-belt webbing is frayed or lightly damaged, which can weaken the belt in a crash.
Why it happens
Abrasion at guides, trapped belts or age fray the webbing fibres.
Buyer tip
Pull each belt fully out and inspect for cuts, fraying and weak retraction.
Severity
Usually maintenance related
Reversing lamp inoperative
- Recorded
- 14 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 4.6.1 (a)
What it means
This wording appears on DVSA MOT records for this model. It flags a tester-observed defect or advisory that can affect safety, legality or a future pass.
Why it happens
These issues often build up when routine checks are skipped between services — tyres, lamps and washers are typical examples.
Buyer tip
Ask the seller for invoices covering this item, and have an independent inspector confirm whether it is still present.
Severity
Usually maintenance related
Most Common Wear & Tear Faults
DVSA wording grouped as wear and tear for this model and age band.
Suspension locking device missing lower ball joint
- Recorded
- 2 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 5.3.6 (b)
What it means
This wording appears on DVSA MOT records for this model. It flags a tester-observed defect or advisory that can affect safety, legality or a future pass.
Why it happens
Components age with mileage and road use, even when a car has been looked after carefully.
Buyer tip
Ask the seller for invoices covering this item, and have an independent inspector confirm whether it is still present.
Severity
Usually wear related
Lower Steering locking device missing ball joint
- Recorded
- 1 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 2.1.3 (d)
What it means
The steering lock is missing or ineffective. That affects theft protection and can be an MOT failure item.
Why it happens
Column locks wear, or aftermarket work interferes with the lock mechanism.
Buyer tip
Confirm the steering lock engages with the key removed and investigate any aftermarket column work.
Severity
Usually wear related
Most Common Systemic Faults
DVSA wording grouped as systemic patterns for this model and age band.
Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction
- Recorded
- 11 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 8.2.1.2 (h)
What it means
The engine management warning lamp is on or not working. Stored faults can affect emissions, drivability and future MOT results.
Why it happens
Sensors, emissions equipment or wiring faults store codes that illuminate the MIL.
Buyer tip
Ask for a diagnostic printout and proof that the underlying fault — not just the lamp — was fixed.
Severity
Often a recurring model pattern
Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material The front to rear brake pipe has corroded at the rear
- Recorded
- 8 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 1.1.11 (c)
What it means
A brake pipe is damaged or heavily corroded. Pipe failure can cause sudden loss of braking effort.
Why it happens
Road salt, stone chips and age corrode metal pipes, especially along the underbody.
Buyer tip
Inspect metal pipes along the underbody and near calipers; corroded pipes should be replaced before you rely on the car.
Severity
Often a recurring model pattern
Steering locking device missing track rod end
- Recorded
- 2 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 2.1.3 (d)
What it means
The steering lock is missing or ineffective. That affects theft protection and can be an MOT failure item.
Why it happens
Column locks wear, or aftermarket work interferes with the lock mechanism.
Buyer tip
Confirm the steering lock engages with the key removed and investigate any aftermarket column work.
Severity
Often a recurring model pattern
Recent year-by-year category counts
Defect-note totals by calendar year in the serving extract (not MOT tests, not vehicles, and not a prediction).
| Year | Owner maintenance | Wear & tear | Systemic | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| defect notes | defect notes | defect notes | defect notes | |
| 2021 | 1,901 | 225 | 26 | 339 |
| 2022 | 2,981 | 430 | 23 | 496 |
| 2023 | 3,706 | 758 | 32 | 516 |
| 2024 | 4,715 | 1,276 | 48 | 640 |
| 2025 | 4,962 | 1,856 | 59 | 734 |
| 2026 | 2,643 | 1,180 | 34 | 412 |
Buying a used Lexus RX: practical MOT checks
- Measure tread depth and check for edge wear on all four tyres — worn tyres are the highest-volume MOT note in this dataset at 11,320 entries.
- Switch on headlamps and confirm aim looks even; headlamp aim too low was logged 465 times in these records.
- Check for a TPMS warning on the dash and verify pressures read correctly — inoperative tyre-pressure monitoring appeared 151 times.
- Inspect rear shock absorbers for bush wear or light oil misting, and look at rear brake pipes for corrosion or grease masking — both appear in systemic and maintenance notes.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Lexus RX MOT pass rate for 2016–2021 registrations?
- In Carmotiq's extract, Lexus RX models in this registration band show a 94% MOT pass rate across 42,612 recorded DVSA tests.
- What is the most common Lexus RX MOT defect?
- Tyres worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge lead with 11,320 recorded notes — the single highest-volume item across 32,647 defect entries.
- Does the Lexus RX have many systemic MOT faults?
- Systemic defect notes total 259 out of 32,647 — less than 1% of all recorded items. The top entries include engine management lamp issues (11) and rear brake pipe corrosion (8).