Is the 2018 LEXUS IS reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 93% of LEXUS ISs from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 2,446 tests. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2018 LEXUS IS cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,042 (£170/month), including £1592 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 LEXUS IS?

The 2018 LEXUS IS has a 93% MOT pass rate based on 2,446 tests in 2026. This ranks 183 out of 649 cars from 2018.

Which year LEXUS IS is most reliable?

The 2020 LEXUS IS has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%. The least reliable year is 2013 at 87%.

What is the average mileage for a 2018 LEXUS IS?

The average mileage for a 2018 LEXUS IS is 58,160 miles, which is in line with the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

LEXUS IS (2018)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 2,446 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,042

£170/month

MOT Pass Rate

93%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2494cc Hybrid

Great Choice

93% pass rate, £2042/year to run. 11 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.

Hybrid2494cc8 years old2,446 tests58k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Hybrid, 2494cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,042

Per month£170/mo

Per week£39/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this LEXUS IS

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

93% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 11 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the LEXUS brand average of 87%.

At 8 years old, 93% of LEXUS ISs from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 2,446 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 58,160 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 2018 cars183th of 649(top 28%)

Rank among LEXUS models71th of 301(top 24%)

vs national average+11%(82% avg)

vs 2018 cars average+4%(89% avg)

vs LEXUS average+6%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

58,160

Average miles

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2018 LEXUS IS has 58,160 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 94% MOT pass rate, while the 2013 model has the lowest at 87%. The 2018 sits between the two at 93%.

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

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT

2019 · 1997cc Hybrid

£1,772/year

94%

+1%

TOYOTA RAV4

2020 · 2500cc Hybrid

£2,037/year

95%

+2%

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER

2016 · 1998cc Hybrid

£1,867/year

86%

-7%

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER

2018 · 1997cc Hybrid

£1,772/year

93%

same

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 2018 LEXUS IS

The 2018 LEXUS IS is a premium with a 2494cc hybrid engine. 2,446 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 58,160 miles at 8 years old, LEXUS IS owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2018 LEXUS IS Fuel Costs

The 2494cc hybrid engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current hybrid prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). As a hybrid, real-world fuel costs will vary significantly depending on how much electric-only driving you do.

What does it cost to own a 2018 LEXUS IS?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,042 (£170/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 93% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

LEXUS IS Reliability Trend

The LEXUS IS has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2018 LEXUS IS

At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 94%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2018 LEXUS IS's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Hybrid Battery Health

Watch out

After 8 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.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

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 2018 LEXUS IS stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
LEXUS IS(2018)	93%	£1592	£195	Grp 25-38	£2042
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT(2019)	94%	£1327	£190	Grp 18-32	£1772-£270
TOYOTA RAV4(2020)	95%	£1592	£190	Grp 25-38	£2037-£5
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER(2016)	86%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£175
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER(2018)	93%	£1327	£190	Grp 18-32	£1772-£270

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.