Lexus IS (2016)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 3,226 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,658

£222/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£445

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 25-38

2494cc Hybrid

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £2,658/year to run. 9 points above average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Lexus IS

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Hybrid2494cc10 years old3,226 tests79k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Hybrid, 2494cc)

~30 mpg (petrol-engine estimate; hybrids usually use less)

£1,958

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£445

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,658

Per month£222/mo

Per week£51/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Lexus brand average of 87%.

91% of MOT tests on Lexus ISs from 2016 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 8 years old. That's based on 3,226 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 79,473 miles.

Got a Lexus IS you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 models149th of 539(top half)

Rank among Lexus models101st of 298(top half)

vs average of all models+9%(82% avg)

vs 2016 models average+6%(85% avg)

vs Lexus average+4%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

79,473

Average miles

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2016 Lexus IS had 79,473 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is above the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

Looking at a specific Lexus IS?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%, while the 2013 model has the lowest at 87%. The 2016 scores 91%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Lexus IS by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	89%	79	38,425 mi
2020	94%	921	37,054 mi
2019	93%	1,774	50,064 mi
2018	93%	2,446	58,160 mi
2017	93%	2,610	62,169 mi
2016	91%	3,226	79,473 mi
2015	91%	4,519	87,488 mi
2014	90%	4,968	97,650 mi
2013	87%	731	98,514 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Mitsubishi Outlander

2015 · 1998cc Hybrid

£2,361/year

83%

-8%

Land Rover Range Rover

2018 · 1997cc Hybrid

£2,086/year

93%

+2%

BMW X5

2016 · 2000cc Hybrid

£2,211/year

92%

+1%

Lexus NX

2017 · 2494cc Hybrid

£2,413/year

94%

+3%

Check a Specific Lexus IS

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2016 Lexus IS

The 2016 Lexus IS is a premium car. Our records list a 2494cc hybrid engine, though engines vary between versions. 3,226 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2016, the average MOT pass rate is 85%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 79,473 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Lexus IS owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2016 Lexus IS Fuel Costs

The 2494cc hybrid engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Our estimate uses around 30 mpg, the figure for a petrol engine of this size, which works out to roughly £1,958 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). As a hybrid it should use less than that, and real-world fuel costs depend a lot on how much electric-only driving you do.

What does it cost to own a 2016 Lexus IS?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,658 (£222/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £445 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Lexus IS Reliability Trend

Newer Lexus ISs pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 4 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2016 Lexus IS

At 10 years old, the Lexus IS is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 94%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Hybrid Battery Health

Watch out

After 10 years, hybrid battery capacity may have reduced. A full replacement costs £2,000-£4,000, though reconditioning is cheaper at £500-£1,500.

Inverter and Power Electronics

Medium risk

The inverter converts DC to AC for the electric motor. Failures are expensive (£1,500+) but relatively rare. Listen for unusual buzzing sounds.

Regenerative Braking

Medium risk

Brake discs can corrode from reduced use (the electric motor handles most braking). Surface rust is normal but deep pitting needs attention.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2016 Lexus IS stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Lexus IS(2016)	91%	£1,958	£445	Grp 25-38	£2,658
Mitsubishi Outlander(2015)	83%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,361-£297
Land Rover Range Rover(2018)	93%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,086-£572
BMW X5(2016)	92%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,211-£447
Lexus NX(2017)	94%	£1,958	£200	Grp 25-38	£2,413-£245

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2016 Lexus IS

Is the 2016 Lexus IS reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of MOT tests on 2016 Lexus ISs ended in a pass, from 3,226 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2016 Lexus IS cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,658 a year (£222 a month): £1,958 fuel, £445 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2016 Lexus IS?

91% of 3,226 MOT tests on the 2016 Lexus IS ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 149th of 539 models first registered in 2016 (top half).

Which year Lexus IS has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 Lexus IS has the highest MOT pass rate at 94% and the 2013 the lowest at 87%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2016 Lexus IS?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2016 Lexus IS is 79,473 miles, which is above the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.