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LEXUS IS 250 SE AUTO (2005)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 62 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,277

£190/month

MOT Pass Rate

92%

Excellent

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2499cc Petrol

Great Choice

92% pass rate, £2277/year to run. 10 points above average.

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Petrol2499cc21 years old62 tests119k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2499cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 2499cc

£430
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200
Total per year£2,277
Per month£190/mo
Per week£44/wk

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

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Reliability Verdict

92% MOT pass rate(Excellent)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the LEXUS brand average of 87%.

At 21 years old, 92% of LEXUS IS 250 SE AUTOs from 2005 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 62 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 118,535 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2005 cars38th of 526(top 7%)
Rank among LEXUS models95th of 301(top 32%)
vs national average+10%(82% avg)
vs 2005 cars average+20%(72% avg)
vs LEXUS average+5%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

118,535

Average miles

vs

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2005 LEXUS IS 250 SE AUTO has 118,535 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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LEXUS IS 250 SE AUTO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200888%52116,114 mi
200783%107113,879 mi
200667%98126,114 mi
200592%62118,535 mi

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About the 2005 LEXUS IS 250 SE AUTO

The 2005 LEXUS IS 250 SE AUTO is a premium with a 2499cc petrol engine. 62 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 7% of all 2005 cars for reliability.

With an average of 118,535 miles at 21 years old, LEXUS IS 250 SE AUTO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2005 LEXUS IS 250 SE AUTO Fuel Costs

The 2499cc petrol 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 petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2005 LEXUS IS 250 SE AUTO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,277 190/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 92% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

LEXUS IS 250 SE AUTO Reliability Trend

Newer LEXUS IS 250 SE AUTOs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2005 LEXUS IS 250 SE AUTO

At 21 years old, the LEXUS IS 250 SE AUTO 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. Note: with only 62 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2005 LEXUS IS 250 SE AUTO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 21 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

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.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 119k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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 2005 LEXUS IS 250 SE AUTO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
LEXUS IS 250 SE AUTO(2005)92%£1592£430Grp 25-38£2277
AUDI TT(2007)80%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2247-£30
SAAB 9-3(2007)76%£1592£250Grp 30-42£2397+£120
MERCEDES A-CLASS(2006)72%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2397+£120
MERCEDES E(2005)78%£1592£250Grp 30-42£2397+£120

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.

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