Used car guide

2010 Lexus IS250: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Lexus IS250s, from 1,190 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,190MOT tests in 2025
78%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
6,200typical miles a year
33%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2010 Lexus IS250 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    33% 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
    27% 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
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    7% 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.

Looking at a Lexus IS250?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2011740Tyres 30%
20091,131Tyres 32%
20081,503Tyres 29%
20071,812Tyres 31%
20061,659Brakes 34%
2005607Tyres 34%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2010 Lexus IS250s registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score