2011 Lexus CT 1.8L Hybrid electric · FP61 FCF

The 2011 Lexus CT presents a stable but mechanically ageing roadworthiness profile, most recently passing its MOT cleanly on 16 October 2025 at 91,062 miles with zero defects recorded. That clean sheet represents a genuine improvement over the preceding four years, during which the tester consistently flagged a slight free play in the steering rack across the October 2022, 2023, and 2024 tests. The disappearance of that advisory in the latest inspection suggests either a repair was carried out or the wear has settled within acceptable tolerance. The overall trend is therefore one of stabilisation rather than deterioration, though the vehicle is now fifteen years old and structural inspection remains essential. The mileage accumulation tells a consistent story. From October 2021 at 66,585 miles through to October 2025 at 91,062 miles, the car covered roughly 24,477 miles across four years, averaging approximately 6,119 miles per year. That figure aligns closely with the vehicle's lifetime average of around 6,071 miles per year, indicating steady, unremarkable use rather than prolonged standing or sudden high-mileage bursts. No anomalous gaps appear in the annual October test pattern, and the odometer progression between each certificate is smooth and credible. Buyers should focus their physical inspection on the steering rack and column, given the repeated free play advisory that appeared in three consecutive tests between 2022 and 2024. While the 2025 test cleared this item, the underlying wear mechanism in the rack bushings or inner tie rods may still be present and could return. The nearside rear tyre damage noted in both 2023 and 2024, now resolved, warrants a close look at the inner sidewall and wheel arch lining for signs of rubbing or perished suspension bushes that could be causing uneven tyre contact. The binding offside rear service brake flagged in October 2022 and the thin front brake pads from October 2021 both point to a car that has experienced intermittent braking system neglect. A thorough check of rear caliper slide pins, the handbrake mechanism, and front disc thickness is advisable. Finally, the age of the vehicle demands a careful underside inspection for corrosion, particularly around the rear subframe mounting points, sill seams, and suspension mounting areas. The absence of corrosion-related advisories in the record is encouraging but not conclusive, as surface protection can deteriorate rapidly once compromised. The exhaust system and fuel lines should also be examined for rust, given the typical deterioration trajectory of a fifteen-year-old vehicle operating at low annual mileage, where moisture accumulation from short trips accelerates internal corrosion.