Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2006 Lexus Rx450h?

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 2006 Lexus Rx450h?

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 2006 Lexus Rx450h?

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 2006 Lexus Rx450h 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 2006 Lexus Rx450h reliable?

Based on MOT data from 177 vehicles, the 2006 Lexus Rx450h has a first-time MOT pass rate of 82.3%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2006 Lexus Rx450h?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2006 Lexus Rx450h are: Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (62.4% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (56.6% of vehicles), Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (51.1% 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 2006 Lexus Rx450h?

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 Rx450h (2006)

177 real MOT outcomes analysed • 82.3% first-time pass rate

2006 Lexus Rx450h

CarHunch analysed 177 real MOT records for the 2006 Lexus Rx450h. 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 2006 RX450H passes its MOT on the first attempt 82.3% of the time, which is slightly better than the UK average of 80%—but the headline figure masks a serious concern: 40.1% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above acceptable levels and a genuine red flag for buyers. This high rate of critical faults suggests wear and age are catching up with the model.

At 102,643 miles median, these vehicles are well-used 18-year-olds, yet they're averaging 24.8 advisories per test—a hefty maintenance list that points to niggling electrical and mechanical issues typical of ageing hybrids. Before purchasing, insist on a full service history and independent inspection of the hybrid battery and cooling systems, as repairs on these components are expensive and failures are common in this age bracket.

We have limited data for the 2006 Lexus Rx450h — 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

82.3%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

40.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.46

Over 18.2 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

103k

Middle half: 82k–122k

For context

These stats describe 177 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 177 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 62.4%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside 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 51.1%

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 42.7%

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 30.7%

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened · Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2006.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 177 Lexus Rx450h cars.

Before you buy a 2006 Lexus Rx450h

Based on MOT data from 177 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 40.1% 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
Electric (32%)	57	82.4%	3.26
Hybrid Electric (Clean) (28%)	50	82.6%	3.5

Mileage Distribution

Most 2006 Lexus Rx450h 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.

102,643

typical

82,387

low mileage

122,097

high mileage

Half of all 2006 Lexus Rx450h vehicles fall between 82,387 and 122,097 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 82,387 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.

✓ 82,387–122,097 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2006 Lexus Rx450hs sit.

⚠ Over 164,830 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2006 Lexus Rx450h — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 58% of 2006 Lexus Rx450hs are still active.

96 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 58% 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

18.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.46

Avg failures per vehicle

24.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Lexus Rx450h: All Rx450h years → Which year to buy? →

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Or browse all models: Lexus →

Compare with another model

See how the 2006 Lexus Rx450h stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing