Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2011 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 2011 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 2011 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 2011 Lexus Is250 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

36% 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 2011 Lexus Is250 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 810 vehicles, the 2011 Lexus Is250 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 87.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2011 Lexus Is250?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2011 Lexus Is250 are: Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (44.2% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (39.7% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (39% 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 2011 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 (2011)

810 real MOT outcomes analysed • 87.1% first-time pass rate

2011 Lexus Is250

CarHunch analysed 810 real MOT records for the 2011 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 2011 Lexus IS250 is more reliable than average, with an 87.1% first-time MOT pass rate against the UK average of 80%, but a significant concern emerges in the dangerous defect rate: 35.8% of these vehicles have recorded at least one dangerous fault, well above acceptable levels. This suggests potential serious issues with braking, steering, or lighting systems that buyers should investigate thoroughly during a pre-purchase inspection.

At 56,324 miles median, these cars are relatively low-mileage for their age, which supports their above-average pass rate, yet they still average 1.85 failures per MOT cycle and 11.8 advisories—indicating wear that accumulates despite modest driving. Before purchasing, have a specialist Lexus mechanic inspect the braking system and suspension closely, as these are likely the source of the elevated dangerous defect recordings.

The 2011 Lexus Is250 has a decent first-time pass rate (87.1%), 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

87.1%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

35.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.85

Over 13.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

56k

Middle half: 42k–72k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 87.1% 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 11.8 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 810 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 810 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 44.2%

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.

Tyre wear 39%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside 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 36.3%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2011.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 810 Lexus Is250 cars.

Before you buy a 2011 Lexus Is250

Based on MOT data from 810 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 35.8% 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%)	803	87.1%	1.85

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 2011 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.

56,324

typical

41,861

low mileage

71,868

high mileage

Half of all 2011 Lexus Is250 vehicles fall between 41,861 and 71,868 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 41,861 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.

✓ 41,861–71,868 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2011 Lexus Is250s sit.

⚠ Over 97,021 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2011 Lexus Is250 — Still on the Road

Almost all 2011 Lexus Is250s are still on the road.

Strong survival — 714 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 92% of the peak.

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

13.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.85

Avg failures per vehicle

11.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2012

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Compare with another model

See how the 2011 Lexus Is250 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing