2003 Lexus RX300 MOT pass rate: 74.7% (1,540 tests)
Is the 2003 RX300 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2003-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 74.1% +9.6 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 73.9% +9.2 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 76.8% +10.6 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2003 RX300
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 311 | 26.2% |
| 2 | Suspension | 267 | 22.5% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 225 | 19.0% |
| 4 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 110 | 9.3% |
| 5 | Body, chassis, structure | 81 | 6.8% |
| 6 | Tyres | 77 | 6.5% |
All RX300 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 (this page) | 1,540 | 74.7% | +9.7 pts | 121,771 |
| 2004 | 3,513 | 73.8% | +9.5 pts | 118,532 |
| 2005 | 3,212 | 73.8% | +9.3 pts | 117,500 |
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FAQs
Is a 2003 Lexus RX300 reliable?
2003-registered examples passed 74.7% of their MOT tests (1,540 tests, 2023–2025), +9.7 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 23 years old with a median 121,771 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2003 RX300?
The median tested example shows 121,771 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.