CarCostCheck

LEXUS IS 250 SE-L AUTO (2008)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 47 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,427

£202/month

MOT Pass Rate

81%

Good

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2499cc Petrol

Solid Option

81% pass rate, £2427/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol2499cc18 years old47 tests100k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2499cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 2499cc

£430
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,427
Per month£202/mo
Per week£47/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

81% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the LEXUS brand average of 87%.

At 18 years old, 81% of LEXUS IS 250 SE-L AUTOs from 2008 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 47 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 99,908 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 cars202th of 589(top 34%)
Rank among LEXUS models237th of 301(top 79%)
vs national average-1%(82% avg)
vs 2008 cars average+8%(73% avg)
vs LEXUS average-6%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

99,908

Average miles

vs

133,200

Expected for age

The average 2008 LEXUS IS 250 SE-L AUTO has 99,908 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2006 model with a 83% MOT pass rate, while the 2007 model has the lowest at 75%. The 2008 sits between the two at 81%.

LEXUS IS 250 SE-L AUTO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200965%40108,440 mi
200881%4799,908 mi
200775%96109,781 mi
200683%87119,441 mi

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About the 2008 LEXUS IS 250 SE-L AUTO

The 2008 LEXUS IS 250 SE-L AUTO is a premium with a 2499cc petrol engine. 47 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2008, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 99,908 miles at 18 years old, LEXUS IS 250 SE-L AUTO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2008 LEXUS IS 250 SE-L 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 2008 LEXUS IS 250 SE-L AUTO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,427 202/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 81% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 2008 LEXUS IS 250 SE-L AUTO

At 18 years old, the LEXUS IS 250 SE-L 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2006 model has the highest pass rate at 83%. Note: with only 47 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2008 LEXUS IS 250 SE-L AUTO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 18 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

Medium risk

With an average of 100k 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 2008 LEXUS IS 250 SE-L AUTO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
LEXUS IS 250 SE-L AUTO(2008)81%£1592£430Grp 25-38£2427
LAND ROVER FREELANDER(2010)79%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2397-£30
VAUXHALL INSIGNIA(2010)75%£1592£250Grp 30-42£2397-£30
AUDI TT(2007)80%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2247-£180
HONDA CR-V(2010)82%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£560

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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