2006 Lexus IS250 2.5L Petrol · GY56 ACO

The most recent DVSA examination on 19 January 2026 resulted in a pass, although the tester recorded a minor defect for a defective windscreen wiper blade alongside four advisories concerning nearside and offside rear tyres worn close to the legal limit, and both headlamp lenses carrying a product residue that was not yet seriously reducing light output. Reviewing the history as a whole, the trend over the last four years is one of broadly stable but gradually accumulating wear items rather than outright deterioration. The car passed without comment in 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2025, with the intervening years producing a consistent pattern of suspension, exhaust and tyre advisories. The single failure recorded in January 2021 for a leaking offside front hydraulic brake calliper with resultant loss of braking performance is notable but appears to have been rectified at the same test, after which the vehicle has returned to a pass with no further brake-related advisories, suggesting the remedial work was carried out to a satisfactory standard. With 124,607 miles accumulated over approximately twenty years, the Lexus IS250 has covered an average of around 6,230 miles annually, which sits comfortably within the typical usage bracket for a vehicle of this age. There are no obvious extended gaps in the MOT record that would indicate prolonged periods off the road, nor any sudden jumps in mileage between tests that would suggest inconsistent odometer readings or clocked history. This steady, moderate annual mileage is broadly favourable from a mechanical standpoint, as it implies regular use sufficient to keep seals, fluids and drivetrain components working, while not placing excessive wear on the engine, automatic transmission, suspension or braking systems that higher-mileage examples would typically exhibit. For a prospective buyer, several items recorded in the advisories merit particular attention during a physical inspection and test drive. The repeated advisories for rear tyres worn close to the legal limit and on the edges, noted in 2022 and again in 2026, suggest either consistent rear-axle geometry misalignment, premature shoulder wear, or a driver habit of under-inflation. All four tyres should be examined for even tread depth across the width, the sidewalls inspected for cracking or perishing given the vehicle's age, and the pressures checked cold. The 2024 advisory for slight play in the nearside front upper suspension arm ball joint is a common wear item on a car of this age and mileage; on a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, and have the joint physically checked for free play with the wheel loaded. The headlamp lens defects flagged in both 2024 and 2026 indicate progressive UV degradation of the polycarbonate covers, which not only reduces light output but can also cause MOT failure in due course, so consider budgeting for replacement or professional restoration. Given the vehicle's age, the test drive and inspection should extend beyond the recorded defects. Despite a healthy annual mileage, rubber components such as suspension bushes, anti-roll bar links, engine and gearbox mountings, and the various seals and gaiters will have aged and perished, so listen for knocks, squeaks and rattles particularly over rough surfaces. The brake system warrants close scrutiny; the 2021 calliper leak highlights a known weakness, so check for any binding or uneven pad wear, inspect the discs for lipping or corrosion, and verify the handbrake holds firmly on an incline. Coolant, brake fluid and automatic transmission fluid are all time-served items that degrade regardless of mileage, so verify the service history and consider a fluid refresh if records are incomplete. Finally, inspect the exhaust system for the loose rear heat shield noted in 2024, check the underbody for any corrosion particularly around suspension mounting points and wheel arches, and confirm the 12V battery is in good condition, as age-related battery failure is a common cause of starting problems on vehicles of this vintage.