2024 Lexus RX 450H+ Takumi Phev CVT 2.5L Hybrid electric · AM13 HAS

As a 2024 registration, this Lexus RX 450h+ Takumi PHEV is only just approaching the third anniversary of its original date of registration, meaning it is not yet legally required to have undergone its inaugural MOT examination. Vehicles in the United Kingdom are not subject to mandatory MOT testing until they reach three years of age, so the complete absence of any MOT history for this particular car is entirely normal and expected rather than a cause for concern. Once the vehicle becomes eligible in the autumn of 2027, the resulting MOT test will serve as the very first official benchmark of its roadworthiness. Until then, any historical assessment of test outcomes, defect patterns, or maintenance trends is impossible to establish, and a prospective buyer cannot rely on DVSA records to verify the mechanical condition of the car. The burden of inspection therefore shifts considerably to pre-purchase due diligence, as the only available evidence will be the dealership or private seller service records, warranty documentation, and the findings of a competent independent inspection. With recorded mileage described as unknown and insufficient data to establish an annual usage rate, it is not feasible at this stage to comment definitively on whether the vehicle has been driven sparingly, used predominantly for short urban journeys typical of plug-in hybrid operation, or subjected to higher mileage consistent with longer motorway commutes. PHEVs such as the RX 450h+ are frequently operated in predominantly electric mode for short trips, which places less thermal stress on the petrol engine, friction surfaces and exhaust system, but subjects the 12V auxiliary battery, the high-voltage traction battery cooling system, and the brake discs and calipers to greater risk of standing corrosion due to infrequent sustained mechanical braking. If the vehicle has covered unusually low annual mileage, the brake discs may have developed surface corrosion that will require careful inspection, the 18-inch or 21-inch tyres fitted to this Takumi specification may show sidewall perishing despite retaining legal tread depth, and both the conventional engine oil and the coolant should be verified for time-based degradation rather than purely mileage-based intervals. Given the lack of MOT history, the prospective buyer should treat this acquisition as a new purchase supported only by warranty coverage and arrange a thorough pre-delivery or pre-purchase inspection carried out by a specialist familiar with Lexus hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Particular attention should be directed to the condition of the 12V auxiliary battery, as failure of this component is a common cause of non-starting and system faults in PHEVs of this age, along with a diagnostic health check of the high-voltage battery pack, its state of charge retention, and the functionality of the charging cable, port, and on-board charger. The hybrid system warning lights, EV mode operation, regenerative braking function, and transition between electric and petrol propulsion should all be exercised during a test drive, listening for any abnormal noises from the continuously variable transmission or the rear electric drive unit. The condition of the brake system should be carefully evaluated, as binding calipers or heavily corroded discs are typical concerns on lightly used vehicles, and the underside of the car should be examined for any signs of fluid leakage from the hybrid system cooling circuit, the transmission, or the conventional brake and clutch hydraulic lines. Finally, the prospective buyer should verify that the vehicle has been serviced in accordance with Lexus scheduled maintenance requirements, which for a PHEV generally involve time-based inspections of the coolant systems, the hybrid inverter coolant, the transmission fluid, and the brake fluid regardless of the mileage accrued. The absence of recorded MOT data means there is no historical pattern to draw upon regarding recurring advisories or developing defects, so all components should be regarded as effectively unverified until independently checked. Documented service history, remaining manufacturer warranty cover, and any extended Lexus warranty or battery warranty documentation should be examined carefully to confirm ongoing protection, particularly for the high-voltage battery which typically carries a separate and more extended warranty period. The CVT transmission, the electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system, the air suspension if specified, and the LED headlamp and driver assistance systems should be checked for correct operation, and a thorough road test should be conducted to confirm that no warning lights are illuminated, no unusual vibrations or noises are evident, and that the vehicle charges and drives as expected in both electric and hybrid modes before any purchase is committed.