Lexus IS300 (2018)
Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 31 MOT tests in 2024.
Annual Cost
£2,413
£201/month
MOT Pass Rate
100%
Excellent
Road Tax
£200
Standard rate/year
Est. Insurance
Grp 25-38
2497cc Hybrid
Great Choice
100% pass rate, £2,413/year to run. 18 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~30 mpg (petrol-engine estimate; hybrids usually use less)
Standard rate (from April 2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).
Reliability Verdict
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 18 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Lexus brand average of 87%.
100% of MOT tests on Lexus IS300s from 2018 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 6 years old. That's based on 31 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 33,082 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
33,082
Average miles
44,400
Expected for age
The average 2018 Lexus IS300 had 33,082 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-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?
Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2005 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 90%, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 73%. The 2018 scores 100%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.
Lexus IS300 by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
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About the 2018 Lexus IS300
The 2018 Lexus IS300 is a premium car. Our records list a 2497cc hybrid engine, though engines vary between versions. 31 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 4% of all 2018 models for MOT pass rate.
With an average of 33,082 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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. Our estimate uses around 30 mpg, the figure for a petrol engine of this size, which works out to roughly £1,958 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). As a hybrid it should use less than that, and real-world fuel costs depend a lot on how much electric-only driving you do.
What does it cost to own a 2018 Lexus IS300?
Total estimated annual running cost is £2,413 (£201/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £200 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 pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 5 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.
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 2005 model has the highest pass rate at 90%. Note: with only 31 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.
Common Issues to Watch For
These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.
Hybrid Battery Health
Watch outAfter 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 riskThe 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 riskBrake discs can corrode from reduced use (the electric motor handles most braking). Surface rust is normal but deep pitting needs attention.
Suspension Wear
Medium riskShock 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 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 2018 Lexus IS300 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Est. Ins. Group | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus IS300(2018) | 100% | £1,958 | £200 | Grp 25-38 | £2,413 |
| Land Rover Range Rover Sport(2019) | 94% | £1,631 | £200 | Grp 18-32 | £2,086-£327 |
| Toyota RAV4(2020) | 95% | £1,958 | £200 | Grp 25-38 | £2,413same |
| Mitsubishi Outlander(2016) | 86% | £1,631 | £325 | Grp 18-32 | £2,361-£52 |
| Land Rover Range Rover(2018) | 93% | £1,631 | £200 | Grp 18-32 | £2,086-£327 |
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.
Questions about the 2018 Lexus IS300
Is the 2018 Lexus IS300 reliable?
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 100% of MOT tests on 2018 Lexus IS300s ended in a pass, from 31 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 18 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.
How much does a 2018 Lexus IS300 cost to run?
Our estimate is £2,413 a year (£201 a month): £1,958 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.
What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 Lexus IS300?
100% of 31 MOT tests on the 2018 Lexus IS300 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 22nd of 607 models first registered in 2018 (top 4%).
Which year Lexus IS300 has the best MOT pass rate?
Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2005 Lexus IS300 has the highest MOT pass rate at 90% and the 2001 the lowest at 73%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.
What is the average mileage for a 2018 Lexus IS300?
The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2018 Lexus IS300 is 33,082 miles, which is below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
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
Land Rover Range Rover Sport
2019 · 1997cc Hybrid
Toyota RAV4
2020 · 2500cc Hybrid
Mitsubishi Outlander
2016 · 1998cc Hybrid
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