Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2003 Lexus Rx300?

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 Rx300?

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 Rx300?

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 Rx300 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

32% 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 Rx300 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 2,738 vehicles, the 2003 Lexus Rx300 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 81.2%, 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 Rx300?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2003 Lexus Rx300 are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (60.4% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (59.5% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (59.3% 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 Rx300?

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 Rx300 (2003)

2,738 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.2% first-time pass rate

2003 Lexus Rx300

CarHunch analysed 2,738 real MOT records for the 2003 Lexus Rx300. 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 2003 RX300 scrapes past the UK average with an 81.2% first-time pass rate, but the real concern is that nearly a third of these cars (32%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point — well above acceptable for a 20-year-old vehicle and a genuine red flag for potential buyers. This suggests structural, brake, or emission issues that demand thorough pre-purchase inspection.

At 83,166 miles on average, these RX300s have typical mileage for their age, but they're racking up serious wear: the typical car has picked up 19.4 advisories and 3.2 failures per MOT. Before buying, get a full diagnostic check and factor in regular maintenance costs, particularly around suspension and emissions systems where this model has clearly struggled.

The 2003 Lexus Rx300 has a decent first-time pass rate (81.2%), 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

81.2%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

32%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.21

Over 15.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

81k

Middle half: 66k–97k

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 19.4 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 2,738 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 2,738 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 60.4%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear 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 59.3%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · …

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

Other issues 23.6%

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Oil leak, but not excessive · Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' · …

Suspension & steering 22.3%

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement · Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement

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 2,738 Lexus Rx300 cars.

Before you buy a 2003 Lexus Rx300

Based on MOT data from 2,738 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 32% 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%)	2,681	81.2%	3.21

Colour Breakdown

Based on 14,763 Lexus Rx300 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 30.3%

4,474

Blue 24.2%

3,580

Grey 21.5%

3,174

Black 12.3%

1,812

Beige 4.5%

666

Green 3.1%

458

Bronze 1.5%

217

Turquoise 1%

154

Gold 1%

152

White 0.4%

Brown 0%

Red 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2003 Lexus Rx300 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.

80,534

typical

66,239

low mileage

97,160

high mileage

Half of all 2003 Lexus Rx300 vehicles fall between 66,239 and 97,160 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 66,239 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.

✓ 66,239–97,160 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2003 Lexus Rx300s sit.

⚠ Over 131,166 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 Rx300 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 19% of 2003 Lexus Rx300s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 391 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (19% 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

15.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.21

Avg failures per vehicle

19.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Lexus Rx300: All Rx300 years → Which year to buy? →

2000 2001 2002 2004 2005 2006

Or browse all models: Lexus →

Compare with another model

See how the 2003 Lexus Rx300 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing