Used car guide

2007 Lexus RX: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Lexus RX first registered in 2007: we looked at the 155 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 155 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

155MOTs of 2007 cars, done in 2023–2025
73%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)
8,300typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2007 Lexus RX?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2007 Lexus RX than on all cars registered in 2007.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.7× usual
    Lexus RX
    28.4% All 2007 cars
    10.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 2.2% of all 2007 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.

Common 2007 Lexus RX MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2007 Lexus RX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    57% 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.

  • Brakes
    35% 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
    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.

  • Lights and electrics
    27% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    9% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2007 Lexus RX

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

  1. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2007 Lexus RX as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Lexus RX?

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 RX compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
20222,413Tyres 19%
20213,354Tyres 23%
20205,068Tyres 21%
20196,536Tyres 23%
20185,166Tyres 24%
20175,528Tyres 24%
20166,383Tyres 24%
20153,754Tyres 25%
20144,817Tyres 27%
20135,277Tyres 26%
20122,006Tyres 28%
2011322Suspension 34%
2010287Suspension 38%
2009479Suspension 40%
2008119Suspension 46%
20064,376Suspension 49%
20052,105Suspension 51%
20043,555Suspension 49%
20031,570Suspension 45%
2002548Suspension 44%
2001401Suspension 51%
2000–Too few tests

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 RX cars first registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score