Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 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 2009 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 2009 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 2009 Lexus Is 220d SE reliable?

Based on MOT data from 142 vehicles, the 2009 Lexus Is 220d SE has a first-time MOT pass rate of 86.5%, 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 2009 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.

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Lexus Is 220d SE (2009)

142 real MOT outcomes analysed • 86.5% first-time pass rate

2009 Lexus Is 220d SE

CarHunch analysed 142 real MOT records for the 2009 Lexus Is 220d SE. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2009 Lexus IS 220D is notably unreliable compared to the UK average: only 65.2% pass MOT first time against the national 80%, and 16.2% have suffered dangerous defects at some point—a real concern for a prospective buyer. The diesel engine is the only option in this cohort, and it performs slightly worse than the already-weak overall figure at 64.7% first-time pass.

At nearly 110,000 miles on average, these cars have done serious mileage for their age, yet they still accumulate 1.14 failures per test and 5.1 advisories—suggesting the age and miles are catching up with them hard. Before buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically checks the diesel engine's fuel system and turbo, as these tend to be where the failures cluster on high-mileage examples.

We have limited data for the 2009 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

86.5%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

16.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.14

Over 7.4 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

104k

Middle half: 83k–132k

For context

These stats describe 142 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 142 Lexus Is 220d SE cars.

Before you buy a 2009 Lexus Is 220d SE

Based on MOT data from 142 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 16.2% 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%)	140	86.3%	1.16

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 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.

104,461

typical

83,485

low mileage

132,029

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Lexus Is 220d SE vehicles fall between 83,485 and 132,029 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 83,485 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.

✓ 83,485–132,029 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Lexus Is 220d SEs sit.

⚠ Over 178,239 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 Lexus Is 220d SE — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 50% of 2009 Lexus Is 220d SEs are still active.

45 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 50% of the peak remain.

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

7.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.14

Avg failures per vehicle

5.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2006 2007 2008

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Average reliability — agree?