Used car guide

2006 Lexus RX300: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Lexus RX300s, from 237 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 237 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

237MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
5,800typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Lexus RX300s than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Engine oil leaks2.2× usual
    Lexus RX300
    29.5% All 2006 cars
    13.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.3% of all 2006 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
    Lexus RX300
    25.7% All 2006 cars
    11.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 2.3% of all 2006 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.

By area

The share of 2006 Lexus RX300 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    45% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    32% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    26% 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
    11% 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?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005911Suspension 49%
2004963Suspension 52%
2003420Suspension 50%
2002135Suspension 53%
2001109Suspension 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Lexus RX300s registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score