2005 Lexus IS 2.5L Petrol · WM55 GVN

The 2005 Lexus IS presents a mixed roadworthiness profile, with a maintenance trend that is broadly stable but punctuated by recurring minor defects rather than serious mechanical failure. The most recent MOT activity occurred in November 2024 at 96,895 miles, meaning the current certificate is now over 18 months old as of June 2026. That November 2024 test was a retest following an initial failure on the same day for an obviously incorrect headlamp aim. The car passed once the headlamp was corrected. Advisories carried forward from the earlier September 2023 test at 84,875 miles included worn front suspension arm pins or bushes on both sides, a light oil misting on the offside front shock absorber, and worn rear brake discs. These are not critical failures, but they do indicate a pattern of gradual suspension and braking component wear that has persisted across consecutive tests without evidence of proactive renewal. The recorded mileage of 96,895 miles over approximately 21 years works out to roughly 4,614 miles per year, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age. The progression from 60,856 miles in February 2021 to 71,654 miles in June 2022 shows an accumulation of around 10,800 miles in 16 months, then a jump to 84,875 miles by September 2023, representing roughly 13,200 miles in 15 months. The mileage then plateaued entirely between September 2023 and November 2024, recording no additional distance over a 14-month window. This suggests either a period of very light use or the vehicle standing unused for extended stretches, which can introduce its own concerns around deteriorated rubber components, brake surface corrosion, and fluid degradation even when mileage remains static. A buyer inspecting this Lexus in person should focus on the front suspension arm bushes, which were flagged as worn in September 2023 and again in November 2024 without recorded replacement. The offside front shock absorber's light oil misting also warrants close examination, as this condition can progress to full fluid loss and reduced damping performance. The rear brake discs were noted as worn in November 2024, and the front brake discs showed pitting and lipping as far back as February 2021 and September 2023, suggesting the braking system has seen sustained use without disc renewal in recent years. Beyond the flagged items, a thorough underbody inspection for corrosion is advisable given the car's age, particularly around suspension mounting points, sills, and subframes, as structural integrity issues would not necessarily surface in MOT advisories until advanced. The headlamp aim defect was resolved, but checking that both headlamps remain correctly aligned and that the lenses have not deteriorated further would be prudent.