Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 Lexus Rx350?

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 2008 Lexus Rx350?

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 2008 Lexus Rx350?

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 2008 Lexus Rx350 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

33% 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 2008 Lexus Rx350 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 163 vehicles, the 2008 Lexus Rx350 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 84.3%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2008 Lexus Rx350?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2008 Lexus Rx350 are: Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (79.8% of vehicles), Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (52.9% of vehicles), Oil leak, but not excessive (44% 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 2008 Lexus Rx350?

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 Rx350 (2008)

163 real MOT outcomes analysed • 84.3% first-time pass rate

2008 Lexus Rx350

CarHunch analysed 163 real MOT records for the 2008 Lexus Rx350. 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 Compare Models

The 2008 Lexus RX350 passes MOT at 84.3%, which is reassuringly above the UK average of 80%, but the concerning detail is that one in three of these vehicles (33.1%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a significantly higher rate than typical. This is a red flag for prospective buyers and suggests mechanical or safety issues that demand thorough pre-purchase inspection.

These RX350s are running at around 68,000 miles on average for their age, which is reasonable, yet they're accumulating 2.37 failures and 16.9 advisories per test cycle—well above what you'd expect from a luxury SUV with such moderate mileage. Before buying, get a full independent inspection and specifically ask the seller about any history of suspension, braking, or electrical work, as those advisories are likely masking wear patterns typical of this model's known problem areas.

We have limited data for the 2008 Lexus Rx350 — 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

84.3%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

33.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.37

Over 13.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

68k

Middle half: 45k–87k

For context

These stats describe 163 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 163 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 79.8%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin

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

Other issues 44%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · …

Tyre wear 38.1%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

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

Suspension & steering 32.4%

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement · Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement · Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn 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 2008.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 163 Lexus Rx350 cars.

Before you buy a 2008 Lexus Rx350

Based on MOT data from 163 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 33.1% 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 (97%)	158	84.3%	2.37

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 Lexus Rx350 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.

68,234

typical

45,232

low mileage

86,643

high mileage

Half of all 2008 Lexus Rx350 vehicles fall between 45,232 and 86,643 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 45,232 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.

✓ 45,232–86,643 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Lexus Rx350s sit.

⚠ Over 116,968 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2008 Lexus Rx350 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 52% of 2008 Lexus Rx350s are still active.

76 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 52% 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

13.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.37

Avg failures per vehicle

16.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Lexus Rx350: All Rx350 years → Which year to buy? →

2006 2007

Or browse all models: Lexus →

Compare with another model

See how the 2008 Lexus Rx350 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing