Used car guide

2005 Lexus IS200: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Lexus IS200s, from 646 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

646MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
5,500typical miles a year
40%had suspension flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2005 Lexus IS200 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    40% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    32% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    30% 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
    25% 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
    13% 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
    13% 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 IS200?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20041,159Suspension 38%
2003973Suspension 41%
2002758Suspension 44%
2001587Suspension 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Lexus IS200s registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score