CarCostCheck

LEXUS IS300 (2004)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 265 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,427

£202/month

MOT Pass Rate

80%

Good

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2997cc Petrol

Solid Option

80% pass rate, £2427/year to run. Close to the national average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific LEXUS IS300

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Petrol2997cc22 years old265 tests111k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2997cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 2997cc

£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.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this LEXUS IS300

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

80% 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 22 years old, 80% of LEXUS IS300s from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 265 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 111,202 miles.

Got a LEXUS IS300 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars123th of 491(top 25%)
Rank among LEXUS models246th of 301(top 82%)
vs national average-2%(82% avg)
vs 2004 cars average+8%(72% avg)
vs LEXUS average-7%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

111,202

Average miles

vs

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 LEXUS IS300 has 111,202 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific LEXUS IS300?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2016 model with a 98% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 73%. The 2004 sits between the two at 80%.

LEXUS IS300 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
2018100%3133,082 mi
201783%4744,028 mi
201698%5483,188 mi
201593%45108,740 mi
201475%57105,616 mi
201372%32165,163 mi
200590%105108,662 mi
200480%265111,202 mi
200380%293114,003 mi
200284%361121,943 mi
200173%125126,707 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Lexus Is300

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.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 2004 LEXUS IS300

The 2004 LEXUS IS300 is a premium performance with a 2997cc petrol engine. 265 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 25% of all 2004 cars for reliability.

With an average of 111,202 miles at 22 years old, LEXUS IS300 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 LEXUS IS300 Fuel Costs

The 2997cc 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 2004 LEXUS IS300?

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 80% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

LEXUS IS300 Reliability Trend

Newer LEXUS IS300s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 7 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2004 LEXUS IS300

At 22 years old, the LEXUS IS300 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 2016 model has the highest pass rate at 98%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2004 LEXUS IS300's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 22 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 111k 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 2004 LEXUS IS300 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
LEXUS IS300(2004)80%£1592£430Grp 30-42£2427
LAND ROVER FREELANDER(2006)70%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£30
MERCEDES E(2004)78%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£30
PORSCHE BOXSTER(2005)86%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£180
BMW X3(2006)78%£1592£250Grp 30-42£2397-£30

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.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Lexus Is300.

Check a specific LEXUS IS300

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a LEXUS IS300? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB