Used car guide

2017 Lexus IS: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Lexus ISs, from 1,555 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,555MOT tests in 2025
90%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
8,000typical miles a year
26%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2017 Lexus IS MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    26% 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
    12% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    4% 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
    2% 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    1% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Looking at a Lexus IS?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2020554Tyres 25%
20191,154Tyres 28%
20181,467Tyres 25%
20161,952Tyres 28%
20152,772Tyres 28%
20143,001Tyres 29%
20131,607Tyres 30%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2017 Lexus ISs registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score