Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1997 Lexus Ls400?

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 1997 Lexus Ls400?

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 1997 Lexus Ls400?

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 1997 Lexus Ls400 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

30% 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 1997 Lexus Ls400 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 775 vehicles, the 1997 Lexus Ls400 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 76%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1997 Lexus Ls400?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1997 Lexus Ls400 are: Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (56.7% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (54.7% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (47.9% 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 1997 Lexus Ls400?

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 Ls400 (1997)

775 real MOT outcomes analysed • 76% first-time pass rate

1997 Lexus Ls400

CarHunch analysed 775 real MOT records for the 1997 Lexus Ls400. 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

The 1997 LS400 passes its MOT first time in 75.3% of cases, which is noticeably below the UK average of 80%—a meaningful gap for a car now 27 years old. More concerning, 30.2% of these vehicles have been flagged with dangerous defects at some point, which is well above typical levels and suggests serious wear or deferred maintenance is common in the remaining examples.

At an average of 126,149 miles, these cars have typical mileage for their age, but they're racking up an average of 3.4 failures per test and 18.1 advisories, indicating that most need real work when they arrive at the MOT station. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically checks the suspension, brake system, and steering components—the high dangerous defect rate points to structural and safety issues creeping in as the platform ages.

The 1997 Lexus Ls400 has a decent first-time pass rate (76%), 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

76%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

30.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.4

Over 13.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

122k

Middle half: 97k–152k

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 18.1 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 775 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 775 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 56.7%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside 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 33.5%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · …

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

Other issues 22.3%

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' · Oil leak

Exhaust & emissions 19.9%

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases · Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits · Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1997.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 775 Lexus Ls400 cars.

Before you buy a 1997 Lexus Ls400

Based on MOT data from 775 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 30.2% 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%)	761	76%	3.4

Colour Breakdown

Based on 8,327 Lexus Ls400 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Green 21.4%

1,781

Grey 14.7%

1,226

Silver 13.7%

1,137

Blue 13.3%

1,110

Gold 10.1%

843

Black 8.9%

744

White 8.3%

687

Red 6.2%

513

Beige 1.7%

143

Bronze 0.9%

Brown 0.6%

Purple 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1997 Lexus Ls400 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.

121,796

typical

96,862

low mileage

151,741

high mileage

Half of all 1997 Lexus Ls400 vehicles fall between 96,862 and 151,741 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 96,862 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.

✓ 96,862–151,741 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1997 Lexus Ls400s sit.

⚠ Over 204,850 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1997 Lexus Ls400 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 28% of 1997 Lexus Ls400s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 117 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (28% 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

13.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.4

Avg failures per vehicle

18.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Lexus Ls400: All Ls400 years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 1997 Lexus Ls400 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing