Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2016 Lexus Is?

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 2016 Lexus Is?

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 2016 Lexus Is?

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 2016 Lexus Is vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

27% 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 2016 Lexus Is reliable?

Based on MOT data from 2,074 vehicles, the 2016 Lexus Is has a first-time MOT pass rate of 90.4%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2016 Lexus Is?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2016 Lexus Is are: Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (33.1% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (31.7% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (25% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2016 Lexus Is?

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 (2016)

2,074 real MOT outcomes analysed • 90.4% first-time pass rate

2016 Lexus Is

CarHunch analysed 2,074 real MOT records for the 2016 Lexus Is. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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

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.

The 2016 Lexus Is has a decent first-time pass rate (90.4%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ 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

90.4%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

27%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.84

Over 7.7 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

50k

Middle half: 35k–70k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 90.4% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 5.2 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 2,074 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

What tends to go wrong

Across 2,074 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 33.1%

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Other issues 8.3%

COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION · Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view · Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Brake wear 6.8%

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 2,074 Lexus Is cars.

Before you buy a 2016 Lexus Is

Based on MOT data from 2,074 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 27% 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
Hybrid Electric (Clean) (96%)	2,000	90.4%	0.84
Petrol (4%)	73	91.2%	0.75

Colour Breakdown

Based on 13,942 Lexus Is vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 24%

3,353

Silver 22.9%

3,193

White 19.3%

2,695

Grey 14.1%

1,971

Red 12.3%

1,709

Blue 6.8%

952

Bronze 0.5%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 Lexus Is 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.

49,513

typical

35,315

low mileage

70,364

high mileage

Half of all 2016 Lexus Is vehicles fall between 35,315 and 70,364 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 35,315 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.

✓ 35,315–70,364 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2016 Lexus Iss sit.

⚠ Over 94,991 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2016 Lexus Is — Still on the Road

Most 2016 Lexus Iss are still being driven.

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.
* 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

7.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.84

Avg failures per vehicle

5.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2013 2014 2015 2017 2018 2019 2020

Or browse all models: Lexus →

Compare with another model

See how the 2016 Lexus Is stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing