2006 Lexus LS 4.6L Petrol · 779 D

The vehicle presents a mixed maintenance profile with a recent trend toward worsening mechanical advisories. While the July 2025 test at 60,486 miles resulted in a pass, the tester flagged corroded front exhaust heatshield clamps and pitted rear brake discs. This follows a failure in July 2024 at 59,444 miles, where the vehicle failed on multiple fronts including a worn offside front brake disc, a corroded exhaust heat shield, and an excessively worn inner track control arm bush. The recurrence of exhaust heatshield issues and the shift from front to rear brake disc concerns suggest a pattern of age-related degradation rather than a single isolated fault. The recorded mileage of 60,486 miles is exceptionally low for a 2006 model, averaging approximately 3,024 miles per year. The data shows a significant jump of nearly 9,000 miles between July 2022 and August 2023, followed by much slower progression. This low annual usage often indicates long periods of inactivity, which can lead to the corrosion seen on the exhaust components and the pitting on the brake discs. The lack of recorded mileage between 2022 and 2023 suggests the vehicle may have sat idle for extended periods, potentially contributing to the rubber degradation in the suspension bushes. A prospective buyer should conduct a thorough physical inspection of the suspension system, specifically checking all control arm bushes and ball joints for splitting or excessive play, given the previous failure of the offside front lower suspension arm bush. The braking system requires close scrutiny; the history of pitted discs and fluctuating service brakes indicates that while the car is currently legal, the rotors and calipers may be approaching the end of their service life. Finally, an inspection of the underside is necessary to assess the extent of corrosion on the exhaust mounting points and heat shields to ensure the structural integrity of the exhaust system remains sound.