2012 Lexus CT: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the Lexus CT first registered in 2012: we looked at the 12,571 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Lexus CT?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Lexus CT than on all cars registered in 2012.
- Corroded fuel pipes13× usualLexus CT2.6% All 2012 cars0.2%
Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt 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.
Engine oil leaks: 0.5% here, against 6% of all 2012 cars. Ball joint: 0.4% here, against 5.3% of all 2012 cars.
Common 2012 Lexus CT MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2012 Lexus CT MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres28% 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.
- Brakes22% 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 electrics18% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Suspension16% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors7% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Rust and bodywork3% 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.
Known faults on the 2012 Lexus CT
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- Older cars
Centre console rattles (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.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 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 2012 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, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Lexus CT compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 599 | Tyres 19% |
| 2020 | 3,767 | Tyres 24% |
| 2019 | 5,717 | Tyres 26% |
| 2018 | 8,105 | Tyres 26% |
| 2017 | 8,815 | Tyres 27% |
| 2016 | 8,783 | Tyres 28% |
| 2015 | 10,422 | Tyres 28% |
| 2014 | 11,298 | Tyres 27% |
| 2013 | 10,956 | Tyres 29% |
| 2011 | 11,269 | Tyres 30% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Lexus CT cars first registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score