Lexus Is (2016)
2016 Lexus Is
CarHunch analysed 2,074 real MOT records for the 2016 Lexus Is. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2016 Lexus IS is significantly more reliable than the UK average, with a 90.4% first-time MOT pass rate versus 80% nationally—but the 27% rate of dangerous defects is a serious concern that warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection. Nearly all IS models in this cohort are hybrids, and they're holding up well mechanically across the board.
At 49,500 miles median, these cars sit right where you'd expect for their age, suggesting typical usage rather than abuse. The average of 0.84 failures and 5.2 advisories per vehicle tells you that when issues do emerge, they're typically minor wear items rather than structural problems—but before buying, get any dangerous defect history checked by a Lexus-trained technician.
What to check before buying a 2016 Lexus Is
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.
- ⚠️ 27% 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 Is
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Electric (Clean) (96%) | 2,000 | 90.4% | 0.84 |
| Petrol (4%) | 73 | 91.2% | 0.75 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 75% | 3 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2016 Lexus Is 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 2016 Lexus Is vehicles fall between 35,315 and 70,364 miles.
2016 Lexus Is — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 1,803 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 89% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2016 Lexus Is
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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33.1%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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31.7%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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25%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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24.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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16.4%
Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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16.3%
Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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11.4%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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11.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Lexus Is?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.