Is the 2018 LEXUS IS300 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 100% of LEXUS IS300s from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 31 tests. That's 18 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2018 LEXUS IS300 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,042 (£170/month), including £1592 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 LEXUS IS300?

The 2018 LEXUS IS300 has a 100% MOT pass rate based on 31 tests in 2026. This ranks 25 out of 649 cars from 2018.

Which year LEXUS IS300 is most reliable?

The 2016 LEXUS IS300 has the highest MOT pass rate at 98%. The least reliable year is 2001 at 73%.

LEXUS IS300 (2018)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2018 LEXUS IS300?

The average mileage for a 2018 LEXUS IS300 is 33,082 miles, which is below the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 31 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,042

£170/month

MOT Pass Rate

100%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2497cc Hybrid

Great Choice

100% pass rate, £2042/year to run. 18 points above average.

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Hybrid2497cc8 years old31 tests33k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Hybrid, 2497cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,042

Per month£170/mo

Per week£39/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

100% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 18 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the LEXUS brand average of 87%.

At 8 years old, 100% of LEXUS IS300s from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 31 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 33,082 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 cars25th of 649(top 4%)

Rank among LEXUS models4th of 301(top 1%)

vs national average+18%(82% avg)

vs 2018 cars average+11%(89% avg)

vs LEXUS average+13%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

33,082

Average miles

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2018 LEXUS IS300 has 33,082 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-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 2016 model with a 98% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 73%. The 2018 sits between the two at 100%.

LEXUS IS300 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2018	100%	31	33,082 mi
2017	83%	47	44,028 mi
2016	98%	54	83,188 mi
2015	93%	45	108,740 mi
2014	75%	57	105,616 mi
2013	72%	32	165,163 mi
2005	90%	105	108,662 mi
2004	80%	265	111,202 mi
2003	80%	293	114,003 mi
2002	84%	361	121,943 mi
2001	73%	125	126,707 mi

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LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT

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£2,037/year

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MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER

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£1,867/year

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LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER

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About the 2018 LEXUS IS300

The 2018 LEXUS IS300 is a premium with a 2497cc hybrid engine. 31 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 4% of all 2018 cars for reliability.

With an average of 33,082 miles at 8 years old, LEXUS IS300 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2018 LEXUS IS300 Fuel Costs

The 2497cc hybrid 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 hybrid prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). As a hybrid, real-world fuel costs will vary significantly depending on how much electric-only driving you do.

What does it cost to own a 2018 LEXUS IS300?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,042 (£170/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 100% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2018 LEXUS IS300

At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2016 model has the highest pass rate at 98%. Note: with only 31 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2018 LEXUS IS300's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Hybrid Battery Health

Watch out

After 8 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

Medium 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.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

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 2018 LEXUS IS300 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
LEXUS IS300(2018)	100%	£1592	£195	Grp 25-38	£2042
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT(2019)	94%	£1327	£190	Grp 18-32	£1772-£270
TOYOTA RAV4(2020)	95%	£1592	£190	Grp 25-38	£2037-£5
MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER(2016)	86%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£175
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER(2018)	93%	£1327	£190	Grp 18-32	£1772-£270

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.