2001 Lexus IS: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2001 Lexus IS?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2001 Lexus IS than on all cars registered in 2001.

• Shock absorbers1.9× usual
  Lexus IS

  11.6% All 2001 cars

  6.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.4% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Suspension arm2.1× usual
  Lexus IS

  6.8% All 2001 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.3% of all 2001 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.

• Rust around sub-frame mountings3× usual
  Lexus IS

  3.9% All 2001 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.4% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Common 2001 Lexus IS MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2001 Lexus IS MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  44% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• 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.

• Tyres
  28% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  13% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Rust and bodywork
  12% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2001 Lexus IS

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

1. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2001 Lexus IS as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2001 Lexus IS as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the rust around sub-frame mountings? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2001 Lexus IS as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?