Used car guide

2006 Lexus IS250: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Lexus IS250s, from 1,659 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,659MOT tests in 2025
68%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
6,000typical miles a year
8.3×the usual rate for electronic stability control

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Lexus IS250s than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Electronic stability control8.3× usual
    Lexus IS250
    2.5% All 2006 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

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

  • Rear reflectors8× usual
    Lexus IS250
    2.4% All 2006 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 1.3% here, against 13.7% of all 2006 cars. Flexible brake hoses: 1.3% here, against 5.5% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 Lexus IS250 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    34% 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.

  • Tyres
    34% 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.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    26% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    12% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a Lexus IS250?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2011740Tyres 30%
20101,190Tyres 33%
20091,131Tyres 32%
20081,503Tyres 29%
20071,812Tyres 31%
2005607Tyres 34%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Lexus IS250s registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score