What are the most common problems with a Lexus CT?

Known faults on the Lexus CT include centre console rattles (older cars). At MOT, corroded fuel pipes and headlights are flagged more often than on other cars the same age.

What should I ask the seller before buying a used Lexus CT?

Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 13× as often on the Lexus CT as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the Lexus CT as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide · 2011–2021

Lexus CT common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Lexus CT, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 92,302 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

92,302MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model

30,246on the UK register

1known fault across all years

2014best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

What usually goes wrong with a Lexus CT?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

Centre console rattles (older cars)
Cars registered 2011–2021 · Older cars
Some older cars rattle and squeak around the centre console. Otherwise very few problems are reported, and it scored 99.2% in What Car?'s survey.

At the viewing: Listen around the console on a rough road.

Source: What Car?: used Lexus CT (2011-2021) reliability

Common Lexus CT MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Corroded fuel pipes
up to 13× usual

Stands out on cars registered in 2011 and 2012.

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.
Headlights
up to 1.8× usual

Stands out on cars registered in 2013 and 2015.

Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Lexus CT MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2014 Lexus CT did best (85% passed first time, 15 points above all 2014 cars) and the 2020 did worst (91%, 4 points above all 2020 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

Year	Pass first time	All cars that year	MOT tests
2021	93%	87% +6	599
2020	91%	87% +4	3,767
2019	89%	85% +4	5,717
2018	89%	83% +6	8,105
2017	88%	80% +8	8,815
2016	87%	77% +10	8,783
2015	84%	74% +10	10,422
2014	85%	70% +15	11,298
2013	79%	67% +12	10,956
2012	79%	64% +15	12,571
2011	77%	62% +15	11,269

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Lexus CT

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 13× as often on the Lexus CT as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the Lexus CT as on other cars the same age.)
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Lexus CT?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score