1997 Lexus LS: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1997 Lexus LS?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1997 Lexus LS than on all cars registered in 1997.

• Ball joint3.6× usual
  Lexus LS

  16% All 1997 cars

  4.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 1.5% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Tread depth2× usual
  Lexus LS

  20.8% All 1997 cars

  10.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.1% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Sub-frame4.6× usual
  Lexus LS

  11.9% All 1997 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.1% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.1× usual
  Lexus LS

  10.4% All 1997 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.9% of all 1997 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.

• Brake pads2.1× usual
  Lexus LS

  8.7% All 1997 cars

  4.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.8% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

Common 1997 Lexus LS MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1997 Lexus LS MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  40% 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
  33% 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
  27% 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
  21% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  16% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Exhaust and emissions
  11% 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 1997 Lexus LS

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

1. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 1997 Lexus LS as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the tread depth? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 1997 Lexus LS as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the 1997 Lexus LS as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?