Used car guide

2009 Lexus GS: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Lexus GS first registered in 2009: we looked at the 293 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 293 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

293MOTs of 2009 cars, done in 2023–2025
78%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 59%)
5,600typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Lexus GS?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Lexus GS than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Shock absorbers2.4× usual
    Lexus GS
    16.7% All 2009 cars
    7.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 2% of all 2009 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.

Common 2009 Lexus GS MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Lexus GS 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
    26% 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
    26% 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
    16% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    8% 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.

  • 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Lexus GS

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 2.4× as often on the 2009 Lexus GS as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Lexus GS?

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 GS compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2018728Tyres 21%
20171,102Tyres 24%
20161,806Tyres 22%
20151,135Tyres 25%
20141,485Tyres 27%
20131,714Tyres 26%
20121,240Tyres 28%
2011130Brakes 28%
2010307Tyres 25%
2008506Suspension 28%
2007173Tyres 30%
2006134Suspension 34%
20052,090Brakes 31%
2004214Suspension 44%
2003391Suspension 39%
2002396Suspension 41%
2001357Suspension 43%
2000266Suspension 41%
1999311Suspension 39%
1998393Suspension 36%
1997200Suspension 43%
1996140Suspension 31%
1995–Too few tests
1994–Too few tests
1993–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 GS cars first registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score