Lexus Gs300 (1998)
1998 Lexus Gs300
CarHunch analysed 2,091 real MOT records for the 1998 Lexus Gs300. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 Lexus GS300 falls slightly short of the UK average, with a 76% first-time pass rate compared to 80% nationally—a modest reliability shortfall that's compounded by the fact that nearly a quarter (23.7%) of these cars have recorded dangerous defects during their MOT history, making safety a genuine buyer concern. With an average of 3.02 failures per vehicle and 13.9 advisories, these cars need sustained attention to stay roadworthy.
At 115,954 miles median mileage, these examples have covered typical distance for a car of this age, yet the high advisory count suggests wear is accelerating beyond what regular maintenance alone prevents. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, brakes, and emissions systems—the danger-defect rate points to systemic issues beyond cosmetic ageing.
What to check before buying a 1998 Lexus Gs300
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 23.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Lexus Gs300
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (98%) | 2,055 | 75.9% | 3.02 |
| LPG (1%) | 28 | 79.6% | 2.86 |
| Diesel (0%) | 8 | 77.3% | 2.13 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Lexus Gs300 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1998 Lexus Gs300 vehicles fall between 92,794 and 140,405 miles.
1998 Lexus Gs300 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 93 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (9% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Lexus Gs300
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
71.7%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
66.7%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
55.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
53.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
41.5%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
29.4%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
22.2%
Oil leak
-
21.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Lexus Gs300?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.