Used car guide

2017 Lexus RX: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Lexus RX first registered in 2017: we looked at the 5,515 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,515MOTs of 2017 cars, done in 2023–2025
92%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 80%)
7,500typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Lexus RX?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Lexus RX than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
    Lexus RX
    6.9% All 2017 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.7% of all 2017 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.

Better than most

Brake pads: 5.1% here, against 10.9% of all 2017 cars. Brake discs: 5.3% here, against 10.9% of all 2017 cars.

Common 2017 Lexus RX MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 Lexus RX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    24% 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.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    9% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% 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 2017 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 1.9× as often on the 2017 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%
20166,383Tyres 24%
20153,722Tyres 25%
20144,795Tyres 27%
20135,271Tyres 26%
20121,983Tyres 28%
2011317Suspension 34%
2010275Suspension 38%
2009463Suspension 40%
2008105Suspension 47%
2007132Suspension 55%
20064,376Suspension 49%
20052,105Suspension 51%
20043,530Suspension 49%
20031,556Suspension 45%
2002548Suspension 44%
2001400Suspension 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 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score