Lexus Ls400 (1993)
1993 Lexus Ls400
CarHunch analysed 1,066 real MOT records for the 1993 Lexus Ls400. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1993 LS400 passes its MOT just 58.7% of the time on first attempt—well below the UK average of 80%—and 16.3% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects, making reliability a genuine concern for potential buyers. This isn't a case of age-related wear catching up; these vehicles average only 125,815 miles, which is reasonable for a 31-year-old car, but the sheer volume of issues suggests structural problems beyond normal maintenance.
The real story emerges in the detail: owners are dealing with an average of 1.8 failures and 7.8 advisories per test, indicating these cars need serious money spent to pass, not just quick fixes. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection focused on the cooling system, suspension, and electrical gremlins that plague this generation—don't rely on the MOT history alone to tell you the car is sound.
What to check before buying a 1993 Lexus Ls400
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.
- 📄 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 Ls400
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 (98%) | 1,049 | 58.4% | 1.78 |
| LPG (1%) | 11 | 66.5% | 4.36 |
| Other (1%) | 6 | 92.5% | 0.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1993 Lexus Ls400 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 1993 Lexus Ls400 vehicles fall between 90,615 and 159,748 miles.
1993 Lexus Ls400 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 21 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (13% 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 — 1993 Lexus Ls400
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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39.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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37.8%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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34.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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34%
Oil leak
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33.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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26.8%
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits
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22.8%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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20.1%
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1993. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Lexus Ls400?
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