CarCostCheck

Lexus IS (2020)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 921 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,413

£201/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 25-38

2494cc Hybrid

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £2,413/year to run. 12 points above average.

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Hybrid2494cc6 years old921 tests37k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Hybrid, 2494cc)

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

£1,958
Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200
Total per year£2,413
Per month£201/mo
Per week£46/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. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)
0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Lexus brand average of 87%.

94% of MOT tests on Lexus ISs from 2020 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 4 years old. That's based on 921 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 37,054 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2020 models704th of 2,554(top half)
Rank among Lexus models57th of 298(top 20%)
vs average of all models+12%(82% avg)
vs 2020 models average+2%(92% avg)
vs Lexus average+7%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

37,054

Average miles

vs

29,600

Expected for age

The average 2020 Lexus IS had 37,054 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is above the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

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Lexus IS by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202189%7938,425 mi
202094%92137,054 mi
201993%1,77450,064 mi
201893%2,44658,160 mi
201793%2,61062,169 mi
201691%3,22679,473 mi
201591%4,51987,488 mi
201490%4,96897,650 mi
201387%73198,514 mi

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About the 2020 Lexus IS

The 2020 Lexus IS is a premium car. Our records list a 2494cc hybrid engine, though engines vary between versions. 921 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 2020, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 37,054 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Lexus IS owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2020 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 2020 Lexus IS?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,413 (£201/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% 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 2020 Lexus IS

At 6 years old, the Lexus IS offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost.

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

Medium risk

After 6 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

Low 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.

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 2020 Lexus IS stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrEst. Ins. GroupTotal/yr
Lexus IS(2020)94%£1,958£200Grp 25-38£2,413
Land Rover Range Rover Sport(2019)94%£1,631£200Grp 18-32£2,086-£327
Toyota RAV4(2020)95%£1,958£200Grp 25-38£2,413same
Land Rover Range Rover(2018)93%£1,631£200Grp 18-32£2,086-£327
BMW 330E M Sport Auto(2021)88%£1,631£200Grp 18-32£2,236-£177

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 2020 Lexus IS

Is the 2020 Lexus IS reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of MOT tests on 2020 Lexus ISs ended in a pass, from 921 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2020 Lexus IS cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,413 a year (£201 a month): £1,958 fuel, £200 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 2020 Lexus IS?

94% of 921 MOT tests on the 2020 Lexus IS ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 704th of 2,554 models first registered in 2020 (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 2020 Lexus IS?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2020 Lexus IS is 37,054 miles, which is above the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

Related Lexus Models

Explore other Lexus cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Lexus IS.

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