LEXUS RX2014 · 3.5L HYBRID ELECTRIC

The 2014 Lexus RX remains roadworthy as of its most recent MOT on 17 October 2025 at 131,597 miles, yet the maintenance trend is deteriorating. That latest test flagged worn front suspension arm pins or bushes on both sides, nearside front tyre wear to the legal limit, and a rear service brake efficiency reading that only just met the pass threshold. The tester explicitly noted the braking system likely requires adjustment or repair. These are not isolated minor advisories; they point to deferred attention on two critical systems simultaneously. The mileage progression tells a story of consistent but slightly accelerating use. Between October 2021 at 78,778 miles and October 2022 at 96,458 miles, the vehicle covered roughly 17,680 miles in a single year. Annual mileage then settled closer to 10,000 miles through October 2024 at 120,938 miles, before the gap between October 2024 and October 2025 shows a jump of 10,659 miles. The final recorded mileage of 131,597 miles on the test date aligns with approximately 10,966 miles per year on average, which is typical for this age, but the 2021 to 2022 spike suggests a period of heavier use that may have accelerated wear on consumables and structural components alike. Buyers should pay close attention to the rear braking system. The 2024 test identified worn and pitted rear brake discs on both sides, while the 2022 test flagged worn rear brake drums and thin rear brake pads. By 2025, rear brake efficiency was marginal. This pattern suggests the rear braking circuit has been neglected across multiple test cycles. A thorough inspection of rear calipers for binding, disc condition, and handbrake mechanism function is warranted before purchase. The 2024 advisory regarding general corrosion to the chassis legs, underbody floor pan, and suspension mounting areas also demands a close visual inspection on a lift. Surface corrosion on structural components is common on twelve-year-old vehicles, but the tester noted it at a relatively modest 120,938 miles, and no follow-up assessment of its progression appears in the 2025 record. The front suspension bushes flagged in 2025, combined with repeated tyre wear advisories dating back to 2022 and 2023, indicate the front end has seen sustained stress without timely correction. Uneven inner tyre wear on both front corners in 2023 and nearside front edge wear in 2025 suggest possible tracking issues or worn steering components that have persisted. A pre-purchase inspection should include a full geometry check, examination of track rod ends and lower ball joints, and assessment of all suspension bushes beyond the pair flagged on the last test. The clean bill of health in October 2021 at 78,778 miles shows this vehicle was once well maintained, but the accumulation of unresolved advisories over the subsequent four years indicates a shift in ownership priorities that a buyer must account for.