Used car guide

2011 Lexus IS250: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Lexus IS250s, from 740 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

740MOT tests in 2025
79%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
6,100typical miles a year
30%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2011 Lexus IS250 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    17% 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
    13% 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
    5% 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
20101,190Tyres 33%
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 2011 Lexus IS250s registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score