Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2005 Lexus Rx400h?

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 2005 Lexus Rx400h?

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 2005 Lexus Rx400h?

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 2005 Lexus Rx400h vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

40% 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 2005 Lexus Rx400h reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,157 vehicles, the 2005 Lexus Rx400h has a first-time MOT pass rate of 81.3%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2005 Lexus Rx400h?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2005 Lexus Rx400h are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (57.2% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (56.2% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (45.5% 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 2005 Lexus Rx400h?

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 Rx400h (2005)

1,157 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81.3% first-time pass rate

2005 Lexus Rx400h

CarHunch analysed 1,157 real MOT records for the 2005 Lexus Rx400h. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

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 2005 RX400H passes its MOT at 81.2%, marginally above the UK average of 80%, so reliability is broadly on par with the typical car—but a serious concern emerges in the dangerous defect rate, where 40.4% of these vehicles have recorded at least one safety-critical failure across their lifetime, well above the typical threshold. This is a red flag for buyers and suggests mechanical or electrical issues have plagued this generation beyond normal wear.

At nearly 99,000 miles on average, these RX400Hs show moderate mileage for their age, yet each vehicle still accumulates 3.72 failures and a striking 27.3 advisories per test, indicating that minor issues are endemic even when cars technically pass. Before committing to one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus specifically on the hybrid battery system, suspension components, and any history of electrical faults—40% dangerous-defect prevalence is too high to ignore.

The 2005 Lexus Rx400h has a decent first-time pass rate (81.3%), 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

81.3%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

40.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.72

Over 18.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

98k

Middle half: 77k–118k

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 27.3 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 1,157 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 1,157 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 57.2%

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 45.1%

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

Brake wear 39.7%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear 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 35.9%

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread · …

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,157 Lexus Rx400h cars.

Before you buy a 2005 Lexus Rx400h

Based on MOT data from 1,157 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 40.4% 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) (34%)	396	81.2%	3.99
Electric (24%)	273	81.5%	3.56
Petrol (23%)	261	81.9%	3.36
Other (19%)	215	80.2%	3.91

Colour Breakdown

Based on 9,628 Lexus Rx400h vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 32.2%

3,105

Black 24.7%

2,377

Grey 21.8%

2,096

Blue 16.9%

1,623

Beige 2.3%

224

Red 0.7%

White 0.5%

Bronze 0.5%

Gold 0.2%

Green 0.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2005 Lexus Rx400h 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.

98,279

typical

76,740

low mileage

117,916

high mileage

Half of all 2005 Lexus Rx400h vehicles fall between 76,740 and 117,916 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 76,740 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.

✓ 76,740–117,916 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2005 Lexus Rx400hs sit.

⚠ Over 159,186 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2005 Lexus Rx400h — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 55% of 2005 Lexus Rx400hs are still active.

580 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 55% 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

18.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.72

Avg failures per vehicle

27.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Lexus Rx400h: All Rx400h years → Which year to buy? →

2006 2007 2008 2009

Or browse all models: Lexus →

Compare with another model

See how the 2005 Lexus Rx400h stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing