Is the 1991 LEXUS LS400 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of LEXUS LS400s from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 55 tests. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 1991 LEXUS LS400 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,607 (£217/month), including £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1991 LEXUS LS400?

The 1991 LEXUS LS400 has a 91% MOT pass rate based on 55 tests in 2026. This ranks 27 out of 179 cars from 1991.

Which year LEXUS LS400 is most reliable?

The 1991 LEXUS LS400 has the highest MOT pass rate at 91%. The least reliable year is 1993 at 79%.

LEXUS LS400 (1991)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1991 LEXUS LS400?

The average mileage for a 1991 LEXUS LS400 is 145,765 miles, which is below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-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 55 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,607

£217/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

3969cc Petrol

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £2607/year to run. 9 points above average.

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Petrol3969cc35 years old55 tests146k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 3969cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 3969cc

£760

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,607

Per month£217/mo

Per week£50/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

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the LEXUS brand average of 87%.

At 35 years old, 91% of LEXUS LS400s from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 55 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 145,765 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 cars27th of 179(top 15%)

Rank among LEXUS models107th of 301(top 36%)

vs national average+9%(82% avg)

vs 1991 cars average+13%(78% avg)

vs LEXUS average+4%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

145,765

Average miles

259,000

Expected for age

The average 1991 LEXUS LS400 has 145,765 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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LEXUS LS400 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2000	79%	190	152,939 mi
1999	79%	322	153,860 mi
1998	83%	812	153,118 mi
1997	81%	510	142,115 mi
1996	85%	291	146,108 mi
1995	85%	344	141,009 mi
1994	86%	74	127,428 mi
1993	79%	86	106,151 mi
1992	82%	56	140,993 mi
1991	91%	55	145,765 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

PORSCHE 911

1990 · 3600cc Petrol

£2,097/year

91%

same

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER

1993 · 3950cc Petrol

£2,247/year

81%

-10%

JAGUAR XJS

1993 · 3980cc Petrol

£2,247/year

84%

-7%

TVR GRIFFITH

1992 · 3948cc Petrol

£2,247/year

88%

-3%

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About the 1991 LEXUS LS400

The 1991 LEXUS LS400 is a premium performance with a 3969cc petrol engine. 55 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 15% of all 1991 cars for reliability.

With an average of 145,765 miles at 35 years old, LEXUS LS400 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1991 LEXUS LS400 Fuel Costs

The 3969cc 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 1991 LEXUS LS400?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,607 (£217/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

LEXUS LS400 Reliability Trend

Older LEXUS LS400s tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 3 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1991 LEXUS LS400

At 35 years old, the LEXUS LS400 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. Note: with only 55 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1991 LEXUS LS400's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 35 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 146k 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.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

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 1991 LEXUS LS400 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
LEXUS LS400(1991)	91%	£1592	£760	Grp 35-50	£2607
PORSCHE 911(1990)	91%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2097-£510
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER(1993)	81%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£360
JAGUAR XJS(1993)	84%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£360
TVR GRIFFITH(1992)	88%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£360

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.