Used car guide

2013 Lexus CT: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Lexus CTs, from 3,654 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,654MOT tests in 2025
78%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
7,700typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Lexus CTs than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Number plate lights1.8× usual
    Lexus CT
    11% All 2013 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 1.8% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Headlights1.8× usual
    Lexus CT
    6.7% All 2013 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 2.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Link ball joint covers1.8× usual
    Lexus CT
    3.6% All 2013 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 1.1% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Ball joint: 0.7% here, against 5% of all 2013 cars. Track rod ends: 0.8% here, against 4.8% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 Lexus CT MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    29% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    22% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    20% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Suspension
    18% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Rust and bodywork
    3% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Looking at a Lexus CT?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20201,266Tyres 27%
20191,910Tyres 29%
20182,747Tyres 28%
20172,986Tyres 28%
20162,936Tyres 30%
20153,475Tyres 27%
20143,740Tyres 29%
20124,195Tyres 29%
20113,772Tyres 30%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Lexus CTs registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score