Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2005 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 2005 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 2005 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 2005 Lexus Is300 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

38% 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 2005 Lexus Is300 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 102 vehicles, the 2005 Lexus Is300 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 79.6%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2005 Lexus Is300?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2005 Lexus Is300 are: Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (72.5% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (70.9% of vehicles), Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (65.8% 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 2005 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 (2005)

102 real MOT outcomes analysed • 79.6% first-time pass rate

2005 Lexus Is300

CarHunch analysed 102 real MOT records for the 2005 Lexus Is300. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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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 2005 Lexus IS300 matches the UK average with a 79.5% first-time pass rate, but nearly four in ten examples (38.2%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a significant concern for prospective buyers. This suggests that while many pass their MOTs without major issues, structural or safety problems are more prevalent in this cohort than typical.

These cars are running at modest mileage for their age (median 69,293 miles), yet they're accumulating an average of 4 failures and 21 advisories per test, indicating wear-related issues rather than fundamental design flaws. If you're considering one, prioritise a pre-purchase inspection that specifically covers the suspension, braking system, and structural integrity, since the high dangerous-defect rate points to these as problem areas.

We have limited data for the 2005 Lexus Is300 — 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

79.6%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

38.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.03

Over 18.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

69k

Middle half: 52k–86k

For context

These stats describe 102 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 102 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 72.5%

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside 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 65.8%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material

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

Other issues 47%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' · …

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 102 Lexus Is300 cars.

Before you buy a 2005 Lexus Is300

Based on MOT data from 102 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 38.2% 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 (98%)	100	79.7%	4.01

Mileage Distribution

Most 2005 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.

69,293

typical

52,354

low mileage

85,924

high mileage

Half of all 2005 Lexus Is300 vehicles fall between 52,354 and 85,924 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 52,354 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.

✓ 52,354–85,924 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2005 Lexus Is300s sit.

⚠ Over 115,997 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2005 Lexus Is300 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 54% of 2005 Lexus Is300s are still active.

50 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 54% of the peak remain.

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

18.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.03

Avg failures per vehicle

21.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2001 2002 2003 2004

Or browse all models: Lexus →

Compare with another model

See how the 2005 Lexus Is300 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing