Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2005 Lexus Is250?

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 2005 Lexus Is250?

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 2005 Lexus Is250?

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 2005 Lexus Is250 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

43% 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 2005 Lexus Is250 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,258 vehicles, the 2005 Lexus Is250 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 82.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2005 Lexus Is250?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2005 Lexus Is250 are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (67.5% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (65.6% of vehicles), Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (60.5% 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 2005 Lexus Is250?

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 Is250 (2005)

1,258 real MOT outcomes analysed • 82.9% first-time pass rate

2005 Lexus Is250

CarHunch analysed 1,258 real MOT records for the 2005 Lexus Is250. 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 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 2005 IS250 passes its MOT first time at 82.9%, slightly above the UK average of 80%, which is a decent result for a nearly 20-year-old car—though the 42.5% of vehicles that have recorded a dangerous defect at some point is a genuine concern for buyers and worth investigating on any used example. With a median mileage of around 76,600 miles for cars of this age, these are relatively low-mileage examples, suggesting they've been reasonably well looked after.

When failures do happen, they average 3.14 per vehicle, but the real picture is the 17.6 advisories per test, pointing to age-related wear rather than catastrophic problems. Before buying, get a full mechanical inspection focusing on suspension and cooling systems—two areas where these models commonly rack up advisories—and always check the service history to confirm maintenance has kept pace with age.

The 2005 Lexus Is250 has a decent first-time pass rate (82.9%), 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

82.9%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

42.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.14

Over 17.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

77k

Middle half: 59k–93k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 17.6 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 1,258 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 1,258 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 67.5%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

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

Brake wear 60.5%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

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

Other issues 59.8%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread · …

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,258 Lexus Is250 cars.

Before you buy a 2005 Lexus Is250

Based on MOT data from 1,258 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 42.5% 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 (99%)	1,249	82.9%	3.14

Colour Breakdown

Based on 13,219 Lexus Is250 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 26%

3,436

Blue 22%

2,905

Grey 19.5%

2,578

Black 18.8%

2,488

Red 7.1%

934

White 4%

534

Bronze 1.3%

172

Green 0.9%

119

Gold 0.3%

Purple 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2005 Lexus Is250 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.

76,579

typical

59,231

low mileage

92,773

high mileage

Half of all 2005 Lexus Is250 vehicles fall between 59,231 and 92,773 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 59,231 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.

✓ 59,231–92,773 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2005 Lexus Is250s sit.

⚠ Over 125,243 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2005 Lexus Is250 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 52% of 2005 Lexus Is250s are still active.

582 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 52% 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

17.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.14

Avg failures per vehicle

17.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Lexus Is250: All Is250 years → Which year to buy? →

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Or browse all models: Lexus →

Compare with another model

See how the 2005 Lexus Is250 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing