LEXUS IS250C (2012)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 124 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£2,277
£190/month
MOT Pass Rate
90%
Excellent
Road Tax
£430
Based on CC/year
Insurance
Grp 25-38
2500cc Petrol
Great Choice
90% pass rate, £2277/year to run. 8 points above average.
Check a specific LEXUS IS250C
Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.
Annual Running Costs
~30 mpg
Based on 2500cc
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
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 IS250C
Compare quotes and find the best deal
Reliability Verdict
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the national average of 82%.
At 14 years old, 90% of LEXUS IS250Cs from 2012 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 124 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 62,950 miles.
Got a LEXUS IS250C you're looking at?
Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.
How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
62,950
Average miles
103,600
Expected for age
The average 2012 LEXUS IS250C has 62,950 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 103,600 miles for a 14-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
Looking at a specific LEXUS IS250C?
Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.
LEXUS IS250C by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
Check a Specific Lexus Is250c
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 2012 LEXUS IS250C
The 2012 LEXUS IS250C is a premium with a 2500cc petrol engine. 124 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 18% of all 2012 cars for reliability.
With an average of 62,950 miles at 14 years old, LEXUS IS250C owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2012 LEXUS IS250C Fuel Costs
The 2500cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. 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 2012 LEXUS IS250C?
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 90% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
LEXUS IS250C Reliability Trend
The LEXUS IS250C has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage points.
Buying a Used 2012 LEXUS IS250C
At 14 years old, the LEXUS IS250C 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.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2012 LEXUS IS250C's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Timing Chain / Belt
Watch outAt 14 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 riskLarger 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 outAt 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 outRubber 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 riskAlways 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 2012 LEXUS IS250C stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEXUS IS250C(2012) | 90% | £1592 | £430 | Grp 25-38 | £2277 |
| BMW 3 SERIES(2014) | 87% | £1592 | £250 | Grp 30-42 | £2247-£30 |
| VAUXHALL INSIGNIA(2011) | 77% | £1592 | £250 | Grp 30-42 | £2397+£120 |
| BMW 1 SERIES(2013) | 84% | £1592 | £250 | Grp 30-42 | £2247-£30 |
| LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER EVOQUE(2013) | 86% | £1327 | £135 | Grp 18-32 | £1867-£410 |
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.
Related Lexus Models
Explore other Lexus cars or similar models in the same category.
LEXUS NX
2021 · 2494cc Hybrid
LEXUS UX
2021 · 1987cc Hybrid
LEXUS CT
2012 · 1798cc Electric
BMW 3 SERIES
2014 · 3000cc Petrol
VAUXHALL INSIGNIA
2011 · 2792cc Petrol
BMW 1 SERIES
2013 · 2979cc Petrol
Related Guides
In-depth articles relevant to the Lexus Is250c.
Most Reliable Used Cars UK 2026 (Data From 50M Real MOT Tests)
11 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Run in 2026: Real Data from 19.8 Million MOT Tests
9 min read
Reliability20 Most Reliable Used Cars UK 2026: Real MOT Pass Rate Rankings
10 min read
Buying GuideFord Fiesta Common Problems (2026): What to Check Before Buying
13 min read
ReliabilityFord Puma Problems: 7 Issues Owners Report (2026)
13 min read
Check a specific LEXUS IS250C
Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.
Premium History Check
Buying a LEXUS IS250C? Our premium check covers:
- Stolen check (PNC)
- Outstanding finance
- Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
- Previous owners count
Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data