Used car guide

2009 Lexus RX400H: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Lexus RX400Hs, from 1,001 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,001MOT tests in 2025
72%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
7,700typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Lexus RX400Hs than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
    Lexus RX400H
    25.4% All 2009 cars
    11.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 2.3% of all 2009 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 cover2.2× usual
    Lexus RX400H
    9.5% All 2009 cars
    4.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.8% of all 2009 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 pipes7.3× usual
    Lexus RX400H
    4.4% All 2009 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 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 joints4.9× usual
    Lexus RX400H
    3.9% All 2009 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.2% of all 2009 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.

By area

The share of 2009 Lexus RX400H MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    48% 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
    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.

  • Tyres
    27% 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
    24% 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?

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

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20081,884Suspension 49%
20071,981Suspension 49%
20061,320Suspension 53%
2005614Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Lexus RX400Hs registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score