Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2006 Lexus Is 220d SE?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2006 Lexus Is 220d SE?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2006 Lexus Is 220d SE?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2006 Lexus Is 220d SE reliable?

Based on MOT data from 321 vehicles, the 2006 Lexus Is 220d SE has a first-time MOT pass rate of 80.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2006 Lexus Is 220d SE?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

CarHunch

Get Started

Lexus Is 220d SE (2006)

321 real MOT outcomes analysed • 80.5% first-time pass rate

2006 Lexus Is 220d SE

CarHunch analysed 321 real MOT records for the 2006 Lexus Is 220d SE. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 321 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

This 2006 IS 220D SE struggles at MOT time—its 65.5% first-time pass rate trails the UK average by 14.5 percentage points, signalling genuine reliability concerns for a diesel saloon now 18 years old. Nearly one in five examples (18.4%) have recorded a dangerous defect during their MOT history, which is borderline concerning but not exceptional for this age group.

At 110,762 miles median mileage, these cars have been driven fairly hard, yet they're averaging 1.72 failures per test—a fair number of things actually breaking, not just wearing out. The 7.3 advisories per vehicle suggest the diesel engine and running gear need close attention, so budget for brake work, suspension repairs, and emissions-related fixes before purchase, and always get a pre-buy inspection on the engine bay and underside.

The 2006 Lexus Is 220d SE passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (80.5%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

80.5%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

18.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.72

Over 8.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

111k

Middle half: 88k–134k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 7.3 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 321 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 321 Lexus Is 220d SE cars.

Before you buy a 2006 Lexus Is 220d SE

Based on MOT data from 321 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 18.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (99%)	318	80.4%	1.73

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,018 Lexus Is 220d SE vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 26.9%

274

Black 24.7%

251

Blue 20.5%

209

Grey 20%

204

Red 6%

Green 1.3%

White 0.6%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2006 Lexus Is 220d SE vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

110,762

typical

87,965

low mileage

133,908

high mileage

Half of all 2006 Lexus Is 220d SE vehicles fall between 87,965 and 133,908 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 87,965 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 87,965–133,908 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2006 Lexus Is 220d SEs sit.

⚠ Over 180,775 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2006 Lexus Is 220d SE — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 14% of 2006 Lexus Is 220d SEs are still active.

Numbers are declining — 27 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (14% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

8.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.72

Avg failures per vehicle

7.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Lexus Is 220d SE: All Is 220d SE years → Which year to buy? →

2007 2008 2009

Or browse all models: Lexus →

Compare with another model

See how the 2006 Lexus Is 220d SE stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?