Used car guide

2014 Lexus RX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2014 Lexus RXs, from 1,609 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,609MOT tests in 2025
85%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)
7,800typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2014 Lexus RXs than on all cars registered in 2014.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual
    Lexus RX
    16.2% All 2014 cars
    8.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 1.7% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Wheel bearings2.3× usual
    Lexus RX
    2.5% All 2014 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.4% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 1.8% here, against 5.7% of all 2014 cars.

By area

The share of 2014 Lexus RX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    28% 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.

  • Suspension
    23% 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.

  • Brakes
    19% 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
    8% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Looking at a Lexus RX?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20222,327Tyres 20%
20211,657Tyres 25%
20201,610Tyres 23%
20192,113Tyres 23%
20181,676Tyres 25%
20171,787Tyres 23%
20162,061Tyres 25%
20151,239Tyres 26%
20131,749Suspension 29%
2012671Suspension 32%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2014 Lexus RXs registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score