Lexus Is300 (2001)
2001 Lexus Is300
CarHunch analysed 267 real MOT records for the 2001 Lexus Is300. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2001 IS300's first-time pass rate of 76.7% trails the UK average of 80%, and nearly 38% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a genuine concern for buyers to factor into their decision. This isn't a reliability winner, and you should budget accordingly for repairs before purchase.
At nearly 93,500 miles on average, these 23-year-old cars show typical wear for their age, but the 4.12 average failures per MOT test combined with 22.3 advisories per vehicle paint a picture of mounting small issues rather than catastrophic problems. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the cooling system and suspension components—two areas where this generation commonly develops costly faults—and expect to spend on preventive maintenance once you own one.
What to check before buying a 2001 Lexus Is300
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.
- ⚠️ 37.8% 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 Is300
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 263 | 76.9% | 4.1 |
| LPG (1%) | 3 | 66.3% | 5.33 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 64.3% | 5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2001 Lexus Is300 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 2001 Lexus Is300 vehicles fall between 73,833 and 109,265 miles.
2001 Lexus Is300 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 51 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (26% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2001 Lexus Is300
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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84.9%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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81.2%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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62.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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62.2%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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52%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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38.2%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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37.6%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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33%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2001. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Lexus Is300?
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