Used car guide

2013 Lexus IS: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Lexus IS first registered in 2013: we looked at the 1,607 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,607MOTs of 2013 cars, done in 2025
83%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
7,900typical miles a year
30%had tyres flagged

Common 2013 Lexus IS MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Lexus IS MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    30% 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.

  • Brakes
    18% 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.

  • Suspension
    9% 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
    9% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    1% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Lexus IS

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Lexus IS?

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 IS compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2021–Too few tests
2020554Tyres 25%
20191,154Tyres 28%
20181,467Tyres 25%
20171,555Tyres 26%
20161,952Tyres 28%
20152,772Tyres 28%
20143,001Tyres 29%
2012298Tyres 37%
2011135Tyres 21%
2010145Tyres 30%
2009153Brakes 28%
2008222Tyres 29%
2007203Lights and electrics 33%
2006163Brakes 37%
2005607Tyres 34%
20041,159Suspension 38%
2003973Suspension 41%
2002758Suspension 44%
2001587Suspension 45%
2000330Suspension 47%
1999206Suspension 38%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Lexus IS cars first registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score