Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2006 Lexus Is 250 SE L Auto?

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 250 SE L Auto?

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 250 SE L Auto?

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.

How many 2006 Lexus Is 250 SE L Auto vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

26% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2006 Lexus Is 250 SE L Auto reliable?

Based on MOT data from 110 vehicles, the 2006 Lexus Is 250 SE L Auto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 83%, 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 250 SE L Auto?

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 250 SE L Auto (2006)

110 real MOT outcomes analysed • 83% first-time pass rate

2006 Lexus Is 250 SE L Auto

CarHunch analysed 110 real MOT records for the 2006 Lexus Is 250 SE L Auto. 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 2006 Lexus IS 250 is notably less reliable than the UK average: just 70.2% pass first time compared to the national 80%, and over a quarter of these cars (25.4%) have shown dangerous defects during MOT history—a genuine concern for a prospective buyer. The high failure rate reflects real mechanical wear on a 18-year-old model, with an average of 2.52 failures per vehicle test.

At 78,281 miles median mileage, these cars are actually quite well-used for their age, yet they're still accumulating an average of 11.2 advisories per test, suggesting ongoing component degradation rather than exceptional neglect. Before buying, get a full pre-purchase inspection with particular attention to suspension, braking, and electrical systems—the volume of advisory items signals systems under stress.

We have limited data for the 2006 Lexus Is 250 SE L Auto — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 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%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

25.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.52

Over 13.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

78k

Middle half: 57k–94k

For context

These stats describe 110 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 110 Lexus Is 250 SE L Auto cars.

Before you buy a 2006 Lexus Is 250 SE L Auto

Based on MOT data from 110 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 25.5% 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
Petrol (89%)	98	83.1%	2.66

Mileage Distribution

Most 2006 Lexus Is 250 SE L Auto 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.

78,281

typical

57,337

low mileage

94,358

high mileage

Half of all 2006 Lexus Is 250 SE L Auto vehicles fall between 57,337 and 94,358 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 57,337 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.

✓ 57,337–94,358 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2006 Lexus Is 250 SE L Autos sit.

⚠ Over 127,383 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 250 SE L Auto — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 63% of 2006 Lexus Is 250 SE L Autos are still active.

49 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 63% 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

13.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.52

Avg failures per vehicle

11.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

Compare with another model

See how the 2006 Lexus Is 250 SE L Auto stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing