CarCostCheck

LEXUS RX300 (2002)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 359 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,777

£231/month

MOT Pass Rate

67%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2995cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

67% pass rate, £2777/year to run. 15 points below average.

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Petrol2995cc24 years old359 tests122k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2995cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 2995cc

£430
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,777
Per month£231/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

67% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 15 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the LEXUS brand average of 87%.

At 24 years old, 67% of LEXUS RX300s from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 359 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 121,558 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 cars343th of 403(top 85%)
Rank among LEXUS models298th of 301(top 99%)
vs national average-15%(82% avg)
vs 2002 cars average-6%(73% avg)
vs LEXUS average-20%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

121,558

Average miles

vs

177,600

Expected for age

The average 2002 LEXUS RX300 has 121,558 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-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 2006 model with a 81% MOT pass rate, while the 2002 model has the lowest at 67%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

LEXUS RX300 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200681%510116,229 mi
200580%1,934117,423 mi
200479%2,255124,237 mi
200378%967124,379 mi
200267%359121,558 mi
200174%217119,150 mi
200066%47118,488 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2002 LEXUS RX300

The 2002 LEXUS RX300 is a premium performance with a 2995cc petrol engine. 359 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 85% of 2002 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 121,558 miles at 24 years old, LEXUS RX300 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2002 LEXUS RX300 Fuel Costs

The 2995cc 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 2002 LEXUS RX300?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,777 231/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 67% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

LEXUS RX300 Reliability Trend

Newer LEXUS RX300s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 7 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2002 LEXUS RX300

At 24 years old, the LEXUS RX300 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2002 LEXUS RX300's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 24 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 122k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 67% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 2002 LEXUS RX300 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
LEXUS RX300(2002)67%£1592£430Grp 30-42£2777
BMW 3 SERIES(2001)77%£1592£250Grp 30-42£2397-£380
MERCEDES E(2004)78%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£380
PORSCHE BOXSTER(2003)82%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£530
JAGUAR X-TYPE(2003)71%£1592£250Grp 30-42£2397-£380

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.

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Related Guides

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