Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2003 Lexus Is300?

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 2003 Lexus Is300?

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 2003 Lexus Is300?

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 2003 Lexus Is300 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

37% 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 2003 Lexus Is300 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 424 vehicles, the 2003 Lexus Is300 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 80.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2003 Lexus Is300?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2003 Lexus Is300 are: Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (84.9% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (81.2% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (62.5% 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 2003 Lexus Is300?

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 Is300 (2003)

424 real MOT outcomes analysed • 80.9% first-time pass rate

2003 Lexus Is300

CarHunch analysed 424 real MOT records for the 2003 Lexus Is300. 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

Moderate sample. 424 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2003 Lexus IS300 matches the UK average with an 80.8% first-time pass rate, but the real concern is that 36.8% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point—well above acceptable thresholds and a genuine buyer red flag. This isn't a widespread reliability disaster, but it signals that a significant minority develop serious safety issues as they age.

These cars are running at a sensible 77,868 miles on average for their age, yet they're accumulating an above-average 3.67 failures per test and a heavy 21.1 advisories, suggesting ageing components and mounting maintenance costs. Before purchasing any used IS300 from this era, insist on a full service history and a pre-purchase inspection focusing on suspension, steering, and braking systems where the dangerous defects are likely concentrated.

The 2003 Lexus Is300 has a decent first-time pass rate (80.9%), 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

80.9%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

36.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.67

Over 18.1 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

76k

Middle half: 58k–96k

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 21.1 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 424 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 424 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 84.9%

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside 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 52%

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

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

Other issues 37.6%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' · …

Suspension & steering 24.9%

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil · Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 424 Lexus Is300 cars.

Before you buy a 2003 Lexus Is300

Based on MOT data from 424 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 36.8% 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 (100%)	422	80.9%	3.67

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,982 Lexus Is300 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 41.4%

820

Blue 23.1%

458

Black 13.2%

261

Red 6.5%

129

Grey 5.8%

115

Green 5.8%

115

White 2.6%

Beige 1.7%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2003 Lexus Is300 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.

76,125

typical

57,870

low mileage

96,482

high mileage

Half of all 2003 Lexus Is300 vehicles fall between 57,870 and 96,482 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 57,870 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.

✓ 57,870–96,482 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2003 Lexus Is300s sit.

⚠ Over 130,250 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2003 Lexus Is300 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 44% of 2003 Lexus Is300s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 155 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (44% of 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

18.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.67

Avg failures per vehicle

21.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Lexus Is300: All Is300 years → Which year to buy? →

2001 2002 2004 2005

Or browse all models: Lexus →

Compare with another model

See how the 2003 Lexus Is300 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing