Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 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 2008 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 2008 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 2008 Lexus Is 220d SE reliable?

Based on MOT data from 216 vehicles, the 2008 Lexus Is 220d SE has a first-time MOT pass rate of 83.1%, 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 2008 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 (2008)

216 real MOT outcomes analysed • 83.1% first-time pass rate

2008 Lexus Is 220d SE

CarHunch analysed 216 real MOT records for the 2008 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 Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2008 Lexus IS 220D SE is significantly less reliable than the UK average, with just 55.8% of vehicles passing their MOT first time versus the national 80%—a concerning 24-point gap that suggests buyers should budget for repairs. The 12.0% rate of dangerous defects is also notably elevated, making this a model where mechanical soundness really matters before purchase.

At around 100,000 miles for a 16-year-old car, mileage is roughly where you'd expect it, but these vehicles are racking up an average of 1.35 failures per test, indicating consistent structural or mechanical wear. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on the diesel engine and suspension—the high advisory count of 6.3 items per vehicle shows small problems are piling up faster than on more reliable rivals.

We have limited data for the 2008 Lexus Is 220d SE — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ 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

83.1%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

12%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.35

Over 7.2 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

100k

Middle half: 80k–124k

For context

These stats describe 216 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 216 Lexus Is 220d SE cars.

Before you buy a 2008 Lexus Is 220d SE

Based on MOT data from 216 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 12% 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

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 2008 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.

99,555

typical

80,351

low mileage

124,028

high mileage

Half of all 2008 Lexus Is 220d SE vehicles fall between 80,351 and 124,028 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 80,351 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.

✓ 80,351–124,028 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Lexus Is 220d SEs sit.

⚠ Over 167,437 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2008 Lexus Is 220d SE — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 32% of 2008 Lexus Is 220d SEs are still active.

Numbers are declining — 38 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (32% 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

7.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.35

Avg failures per vehicle

6.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2006 2007 2009

Or browse all models: Lexus →

Compare with another model

See how the 2008 Lexus Is 220d SE stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?