Used car guide

2008 Lexus RX450H: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Lexus RX450Hs, from 167 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 167 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

167MOT tests in 2025
70%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
8,200typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Lexus RX450Hs than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.2× usual
    Lexus RX450H
    24.6% All 2008 cars
    11.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, 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.

By area

The share of 2008 Lexus RX450H 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
    30% 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
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    29% 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.

  • 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% 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 RX450H?

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

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20121,045Suspension 35%
20111,650Suspension 41%
20102,413Suspension 41%
20091,104Suspension 44%
2007146Suspension 52%
2006104Suspension 47%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Lexus RX450Hs registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score