2009 Lexus RX450H 3.5L Hybrid electric (clean) · FN59 WHH

The most recent DVSA examination on 11 May 2026 resulted in a pass, but only twelve days earlier the vehicle had failed with a Dangerous defect concerning nearside front brake pads worn below 1.5 mm, alongside Major failures for a non-functional nearside rear stop lamp and an inoperative offside front position lamp. The fact that such a critical safety item was allowed to degenerate to a Dangerous level on a hybrid of this age and mileage raises immediate questions about servicing diligence and pre-test preparation. Looking across the broader history from 2022 onwards, the trend is one of gradually worsening condition. Recurring advisories for rear brake disc wear and rear brake pad thinning have appeared in every test since 2022, and the nearside front wheel bearing fault flagged in February 2022 suggests the suspension and undercarriage are beginning to demand closer attention. The repeated minor advisories for anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover deterioration on both sides across 2025 and 2026 further indicate that the front suspension bushes and linkages are showing typical wear for a high-mileage vehicle of this era. Overall, the trajectory is not one of outright neglect but of a car that is now entering a phase where consumable and chassis components require increasingly frequent renewal. The recorded mileage of 167,958 miles over a 17-year life equates to approximately 9,880 miles per year, which sits broadly within the expected range for a luxury hybrid SUV of this age and is neither abnormally low nor excessively high. There are no apparent extended gaps in the MOT record that would suggest long periods of standing, which is reassuring because hybrids left unused for months often suffer from a depleted 12V auxiliary battery, degraded petrol in the tank, and seized brake calipers from corrosion. That said, the consistent annual mileage implies regular use on a mix of urban and longer-distance journeys, meaning wear patterns on the brakes, tyres, and drivetrain should be progressive rather than accelerated, yet the persistence of rear brake and tyre advisories for four years running indicates the rear axle components may be subject to harder use than expected, or simply have reached a stage where replacement is overdue. Given the high total mileage, attention should also be directed toward the hybrid system battery health, inverter cooling, and the operation of the electronically controlled continuously variable transmission, none of which fall under MOT scope but are material to long-term reliability. A prospective buyer should approach this Lexus RX450h with particular attention to the braking system, given the Dangerous pad failure recorded in April 2026. Beyond simply confirming that new pads and possibly discs have been fitted, inspect the rear discs visually for lipping and corrosion pitting, and on a test drive listen for any grinding or squealing that could indicate a caliper slide pin seizure, a common failure on vehicles that see frequent stop-start urban driving. Feel through the brake pedal for any shudder under firm application, which would suggest disc runout or uneven pad transfer, and check that the pull-up handbrake on this hybrid model operates cleanly, as the electric parking brake mechanism can suffer from actuator wear at this mileage. The nearside front wheel bearing flagged in 2022 should be revisited: with the vehicle raised, attempt to rock each front wheel to detect any play, and on the road listen for a rotational rumble that changes with cornering load, which would confirm a renewed or further failing bearing. The repeated advisories for tyre cracking, perishing, and edge wear across multiple tests should not be dismissed. Although tyre condition is influenced by mileage, age-related sidewall deterioration is a rubber-compound degradation issue and can affect even lightly worn tyres on a 17-year-old vehicle. Examine all four tyres and the spare for hairline cracks in the sidewall and between the tread blocks, paying particular attention to the rear pair where the advisory history is longest standing, and verify the production date code on the sidewall to ensure replacements are not themselves approaching six years of age. Given the age of the vehicle, the buyer should also verify the timing chain and engine oil consumption on the 3.5-litre V6 petrol component of the powertrain, as these units are known to be generally durable but not immune to oil consumption issues beyond 150,000 miles. Finally, insist on evidence of recent servicing for the hybrid transaxle fluid, engine coolant, and brake fluid, as these are calendar-based items that degrade regardless of mileage, and confirm the 12V auxiliary battery has been replaced within the last four years, as a failing auxiliary battery on this model can cause misleading hybrid system warning lights and drivability complaints.