Used car guide

2008 Lexus RX400H: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Lexus RX400Hs, from 1,884 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,884MOT tests in 2025

71%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)

7,700typical miles a year

2.5×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Lexus RX400Hs than on all cars registered in 2008.

Suspension arm bushes and joints2.5× usual

Lexus RX400H
28.2% All 2008 cars
11.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 2.3% of all 2008 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.
Ball joint dust cover1.9× usual

Lexus RX400H
8.9% All 2008 cars
4.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 2% of all 2008 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.
Corroded fuel pipes5.6× usual

Lexus RX400H
3.9% All 2008 cars
0.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
Anti-roll bar bushes and joints3.5× usual

Lexus RX400H
3.5% All 2008 cars
1%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.
Mirrors2.3× usual

Lexus RX400H
2.8% All 2008 cars
1.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £30–£200 our estimate

At the viewing: Check both door mirrors adjust and the glass isn't cracked.

Better than most

Coil springs: 1.7% here, against 12.2% of all 2008 cars. Engine oil leaks: 3.1% here, against 12.5% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Lexus RX400H MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

49% 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.
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

28% 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

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

9% 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.
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.

Looking at a Lexus RX400H?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2009	1,001	Suspension 48%
2007	1,981	Suspension 49%
2006	1,320	Suspension 53%
2005	614	Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Lexus RX400Hs registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score