Lexus NX common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Lexus NX, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 84,238 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 2024 Lexus NX
Cars registered in 2024 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Lexus NX as a whole.
What to check on a 2024 car
- Warranty left
Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.
- Servicing
Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.
- Finance
Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.
- Recalls
Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.
- Logbook (V5C)
The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.
Other years
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).
What usually goes wrong with a Lexus NX?
What Car? reports very few issues and no serious repeated faults. Lexus came first of 32 makers in its survey. Check the body corners and wheels for scuffs.
Common Lexus NX MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Hybrid
Ball joint dust cover
up to 2.1× usualStands out on cars registered in 2015.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Wipers
up to 1.9× usualStands out on cars registered in 2015.
Rough price £15–£60 our estimateAt the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.
Suspension arm bushes and joints
up to 1.7× usualStands out on cars registered in 2015.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Lexus NX MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2014 Lexus NX did best (87% passed first time, 17 points above all 2014 cars) and the 2021 did worst (93%, 6 points above all 2021 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Lexus NX
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the Lexus NX as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the Lexus NX as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the Lexus NX as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Lexus NX?
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