Used car guide

2008 Lexus IS diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Lexus IS first registered in 2008 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 216 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 216 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

216MOTs of 2008 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
63%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
8,000typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for headlights

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Lexus IS diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Lexus IS diesel than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Headlights2.3× usual
    Lexus IS
    20.4% All 2008 cars
    8.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 4.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Common 2008 Lexus IS diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Lexus IS diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    43% 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
    39% 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
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    24% 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.

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

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    5% 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 2008 Lexus IS diesel

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

  1. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2008 Lexus IS diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. 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
2021105Tyres 29%
20201,695Tyres 26%
20193,493Tyres 28%
20184,320Tyres 25%
20174,631Tyres 25%
20165,903Tyres 27%
20158,347Tyres 27%
20149,212Tyres 27%
20134,877Tyres 29%
2012884Tyres 31%
2011405Tyres 25%
2010436Tyres 35%
2009506Brakes 29%
2007739Tyres 34%
2006627Brakes 37%
2005170Tyres 28%
20043,890Suspension 37%
20033,292Suspension 39%
20022,659Suspension 39%
20012,096Suspension 44%
20001,188Suspension 44%
1999764Suspension 41%

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 IS cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score