Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 Lexus Is250c?

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 2009 Lexus Is250c?

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 2009 Lexus Is250c?

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 2009 Lexus Is250c vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

42% 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 2009 Lexus Is250c reliable?

Based on MOT data from 147 vehicles, the 2009 Lexus Is250c has a first-time MOT pass rate of 86.4%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2009 Lexus Is250c?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2009 Lexus Is250c are: Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (56.8% of vehicles), Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay (52.1% of vehicles), Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (50% 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 2009 Lexus Is250c?

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 Is250c (2009)

147 real MOT outcomes analysed • 86.4% first-time pass rate

2009 Lexus Is250c

CarHunch analysed 147 real MOT records for the 2009 Lexus Is250c. 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 Compare Models

The 2009 IS250C passes its MOT first time at 86.4%, comfortably above the UK average of 80%, which suggests decent reliability for a 15-year-old convertible—but the concerning figure is that 42.2% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above the typical threshold, so mechanical issues can escalate quickly on this model. At 55,600 miles average, these examples show relatively gentle usage, yet they're still racking up 2.24 failures and 14.1 advisories per test, indicating that while major faults are catching them, minor wear items (suspension, trim, lights) need constant attention.

The high advisory count is typical of an aging Lexus convertible—hydraulic roof systems, trim clips, and sensor issues pile up—but the dangerous defect rate is your real red flag. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus specifically on the convertible roof mechanism, hydraulic systems, and any previous structural or brake work before committing.

We have limited data for the 2009 Lexus Is250c — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ 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

86.4%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

42.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.24

Over 15.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

55k

Middle half: 39k–68k

For context

These stats describe 147 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 147 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 56.8%

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

Brake wear 50%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear 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 42.5%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear 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.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 147 Lexus Is250c cars.

Before you buy a 2009 Lexus Is250c

Based on MOT data from 147 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 42.2% 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%)	145	86.5%	2.25

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Lexus Is250c 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.

55,314

typical

39,316

low mileage

68,443

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Lexus Is250c vehicles fall between 39,316 and 68,443 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 39,316 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.

✓ 39,316–68,443 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Lexus Is250cs sit.

⚠ Over 92,398 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 Lexus Is250c — Still on the Road

Most 2009 Lexus Is250cs are still being driven.

Strong survival — 125 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 86% 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

15.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.24

Avg failures per vehicle

14.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Lexus Is250c: All Is250c years → Which year to buy? →

2010 2011

Or browse all models: Lexus →

Compare with another model

See how the 2009 Lexus Is250c stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing