Used car guide

2004 Lexus RX300: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Lexus RX300s, from 963 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

963MOT tests in 2025
68%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
5,800typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Lexus RX300s than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.7× usual
    Lexus RX300
    25.9% All 2004 cars
    9.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 2% of all 2004 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.

  • Engine oil leaks1.8× usual
    Lexus RX300
    27.9% All 2004 cars
    15.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Brake pads1.9× usual
    Lexus RX300
    13.8% All 2004 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Sub-frame1.8× usual
    Lexus RX300
    11.3% All 2004 cars
    6.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.3% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Ball joint dust cover2× usual
    Lexus RX300
    9.7% All 2004 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.8% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 4% here, against 17.1% of all 2004 cars. Coil springs: 2.2% here, against 10.9% of all 2004 cars.

By area

The share of 2004 Lexus RX300 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    52% 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
    35% 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
    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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    29% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Lights and electrics
    27% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Rust and bodywork
    14% 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 RX300?

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

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005911Suspension 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Lexus RX300s registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score