Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2017 Lexus Rc?

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 2017 Lexus Rc?

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 2017 Lexus Rc?

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 2017 Lexus Rc vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

24% 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 2017 Lexus Rc reliable?

Based on MOT data from 441 vehicles, the 2017 Lexus Rc has a first-time MOT pass rate of 91%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2017 Lexus Rc?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2017 Lexus Rc are: Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (44.7% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (42.5% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (22.7% 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 2017 Lexus Rc?

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 Rc (2017)

441 real MOT outcomes analysed • 91% first-time pass rate

2017 Lexus Rc

CarHunch analysed 441 real MOT records for the 2017 Lexus Rc. 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 Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 441 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2017 Lexus RC is a genuinely reliable car, passing its MOT first time in 91% of cases—well above the UK average of 80%—though nearly a quarter (23.6%) have experienced a dangerous defect at some point, which is a meaningful concern for buyers. The hybrid powertrain delivers this performance consistently across the 413 vehicles analysed.

These cars are running light for their age, with a median of 36,141 miles, which partly explains the strong pass rate and low failure average of 0.71 per vehicle. The real story is in the advisories: at 5.0 per test, owners face moderate maintenance nags, typically wear items rather than structural problems. When shopping, prioritise a pre-purchase inspection focusing on suspension and brake components, where advisory patterns cluster, rather than worrying about engine reliability.

The 2017 Lexus Rc passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (91%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ 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

91%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

23.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.71

Over 6.9 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

36k

Middle half: 27k–47k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 91% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 5 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 441 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.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 441 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 44.7%

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 15.7%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

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

Other issues 7.8%

COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION · Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view

Wipers & washers 5.8%

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2017.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 441 Lexus Rc cars.

Before you buy a 2017 Lexus Rc

Based on MOT data from 441 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 23.6% 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
Hybrid Electric (Clean) (94%)	413	90.8%	0.73

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,382 Lexus Rc vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 25.5%

607

Black 17.9%

426

White 17.4%

415

Blue 17.3%

412

Silver 12.4%

295

Grey 6%

142

Orange 2.1%

Yellow 1.5%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2017 Lexus Rc 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.

36,141

typical

26,835

low mileage

46,637

high mileage

Half of all 2017 Lexus Rc vehicles fall between 26,835 and 46,637 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 26,835 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.

✓ 26,835–46,637 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2017 Lexus Rcs sit.

⚠ Over 62,959 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2017 Lexus Rc — Still on the Road

Almost all 2017 Lexus Rcs are still on the road.

Strong survival — 414 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 98% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
* 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

6.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.71

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2015 2016 2018 2019 2020

Or browse all models: Lexus →

Compare with another model

See how the 2017 Lexus Rc stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?