2008 Lexus RX400H 3.3L Hybrid electric · GV08 LMU

The 2008 Lexus RX400h presents a mixed but broadly stable mechanical picture at its most recent MOT on 2 August 2024, when it passed at 155,027 miles. That said, the maintenance trend is not improving. The vehicle failed the previous day at 155,025 miles, and while the tester cleared the headlamp levelling linkage and a leaking nearside rear shock absorber between the two tests, the underlying condition of the chassis and suspension remains a persistent concern. Corrosion and wear items have been accumulating steadily rather than being resolved, and the record suggests a pattern of minimal intervention to keep the car legal rather than genuinely restoring it. Mileage accumulation is consistent with typical use for an eighteen-year-old vehicle, averaging roughly 8,600 miles per year. The record shows a jump of about 9,000 miles between the July 2023 test at 145,933 miles and the July 2024 test at 155,025 miles, which is unremarkable for a hybrid SUV used for regular commuting or family duties. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden drops in recorded mileage, and the annual test pattern has been maintained without interruption, so the odometer history appears credible. The most significant area for a buyer to inspect in person is the vehicle structure and suspension mounting points. Across multiple tests, the rear sub-frame, front sub-frame, rear anti-roll bar, Macpherson struts, and both front and rear coil springs have been flagged for corrosion, with the most recent test noting fractures in the rear structural area on both sides. While the tester judged structural rigidity not significantly reduced at the time of the last pass, corrosion of this nature on a fifteen-year-old vehicle tends to worsen, particularly around inner sills and suspension component mounting prescribed areas. A thorough underside inspection on a ramp is essential to verify whether surface rust has progressed to perforation or if any welds have failed. Beyond the structure, the front lower suspension arm ball joint dust covers have been severely deteriorated on both sides for at least two consecutive tests, and the inner suspension arm bushes are worn. The offside front inner CV boot has also been repeatedly flagged as severely deteriorated, which typically leads to joint contamination and eventual failure if not addressed. Rear brake discs have been worn and pitted, and the nearside rear shock absorber was leaking seriously just before the last pass. These are not catastrophic failures individually, but together they point to a vehicle that has been run with deferred maintenance. A buyer should budget for suspension bush replacement, possible shock absorber renewal, and close monitoring of the rear structural corrosion before relying on this car for long journeys.