Lexus Is250 (2012)
2012 Lexus Is250
CarHunch analysed 440 real MOT records for the 2012 Lexus Is250. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2012 Lexus IS250 passes its MOT at 88.8%, well above the UK average of 80%, which suggests solid build quality—but nearly 37% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, a serious concern that buyers should investigate thoroughly on any used example. This elevated dangerous defect rate is the main red flag for the model.
These cars average just over 55,000 miles, which is reasonable for their age, yet they rack up 10.6 advisories per vehicle on test—well above typical—suggesting incremental wear and ageing issues that accumulate rather than catastrophic failures. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection and check the full MOT history for what those advisories actually were, particularly anything related to suspension or braking systems.
What to check before buying a 2012 Lexus Is250
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.
- ⚠️ 36.8% 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 Is250
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 2012 Lexus Is250 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 2012 Lexus Is250 vehicles fall between 37,556 and 69,802 miles.
2012 Lexus Is250 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 399 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 93% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2012 Lexus Is250
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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39%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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39%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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36.3%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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35.9%
Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay
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28.9%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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27.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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27.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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27%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2012. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Lexus Is250?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.