How much does a 1997 LEXUS LS400 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,757 (£230/month), including £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 LEXUS LS400?

The 1997 LEXUS LS400 has a 81% MOT pass rate based on 510 tests in 2026. This ranks 85 out of 320 cars from 1997.

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 (1997)

Q: Is the 1997 LEXUS LS400 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 81% of LEXUS LS400s from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 510 tests. That's 1 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 LEXUS LS400?

The average mileage for a 1997 LEXUS LS400 is 142,115 miles, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-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 510 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,757

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

81%

Good

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

3969cc Petrol

Solid Option

81% pass rate, £2757/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol3969cc29 years old510 tests142k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 3969cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 3969cc

£760

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,757

Per month£230/mo

Per week£53/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

81% 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 29 years old, 81% of LEXUS LS400s from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 510 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 142,115 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars85th of 320(top 27%)

Rank among LEXUS models229th of 301(top 76%)

vs national average-1%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average+6%(75% avg)

vs LEXUS average-6%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

142,115

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 LEXUS LS400 has 142,115 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-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 1991 model with a 91% MOT pass rate, while the 1993 model has the lowest at 79%. The 1997 sits between the two at 81%.

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

JAGUAR XK8

1997 · 3995cc Petrol

£2,247/year

81%

same

PORSCHE 911

1998 · 3596cc Petrol

£2,247/year

85%

+4%

MERCEDES E

1995 · 3606cc Petrol

£2,397/year

79%

-2%

JAGUAR XJ

1998 · 3980cc Petrol

£2,397/year

77%

-4%

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About the 1997 LEXUS LS400

The 1997 LEXUS LS400 is a premium performance with a 3969cc petrol engine. 510 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 1997, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 142,115 miles at 29 years old, LEXUS LS400 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 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 1997 LEXUS LS400?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,757 (£230/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 81% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 1997 LEXUS LS400

At 29 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. If you're flexible on year, the 1991 model has the highest pass rate at 91%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 LEXUS LS400's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 29 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 142k 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 1997 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(1997)	81%	£1592	£760	Grp 35-50	£2757
JAGUAR XK8(1997)	81%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£510
PORSCHE 911(1998)	85%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£510
MERCEDES E(1995)	79%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£360
JAGUAR XJ(1998)	77%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£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.