2011 Lexus CT 1.8L Hybrid electric (clean) · GY61 RHX

A clear pattern of edge-wear on the tyres has emerged across multiple MOT tests on this Lexus CT, accompanied by a cluster of recurring front brake advisories and persistent minor issues with the rear number plate. The most recent test on 12 November 2025 was a pass, but it flagged both front tyres as worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge, mirroring the same advisory recorded on the nearside and offside fronts in October 2019 and the nearside front in November 2018. Earlier entries from November 2022 noted front brake pads wearing thin and both front discs scored, alongside a partially functioning offside reverse lamp. A headlamp lens defect was also classed as a minor in November 2024. There are no recorded failures across the seven tests on file, but the recurrence of similar wear items at the front axle suggests an ongoing geometry or component issue rather than isolated wear. With 64,665 miles on a 2011 car, the annual accumulation works out at roughly 4,300 miles per year, which is well below average for a vehicle of this age. The MOT record shows continuous annual testing since 2018 with no significant gaps, indicating the car has remained in regular use on the road rather than being laid up for extended periods. Low annual mileage of this nature typically means slower wear on internal drivetrain components, but it can also bring its own concerns such as standing-start corrosion on underbody fasteners, brake discs corroding from infrequent operation, and tyres developing flat spots or sidewall deterioration from long stationary periods. The fact that tyre edge wear keeps recurring despite low mileage suggests the car is being driven, but possibly with alignment angles outside tolerance or with suspension components that have shifted over time. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the front suspension geometry and the condition of the tyres during a physical inspection. Even wear across the tread indicates correct alignment, while consistent inner or outer edge wear points towards worn suspension bushes, top mounts, or droplinks allowing the wheels to sit outside specification. On a test drive, listen for knocking or clonking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly at low speed over speed humps, and feel for any vagueness or wandering through the steering wheel which would suggest worn tie-bar ends or a fatigued coil spring. Check the sidewalls of all four tyres for cracking or brittleness given the car's age, and verify the production date by looking for the DOT stamp on the sidewall, as tyres older than six years become hard and lose grip regardless of tread depth. The front braking system warrants close scrutiny given the 2022 advisories for thin pads and scored discs. Lift a front wheel if possible to confirm pad material thickness against the backing plate and run a finger along the disc surface to feel for an excessive lip on the outer edge, which indicates the discs have worn close to their minimum thickness and may soon require replacement. On the road, listen for any grinding, squealing, or metallic scraping under light braking, and feel for pedal vibration or pulsation which would suggest disc runout or hot spots from uneven wear. The headlamp lens minor from 2024 should also be re-examined, as oxidised polycarbonate lenses reduce light output significantly at night. Finally, verify that both reverse lamps illuminate correctly, that the rear number plate is legible from the required distance, and that no warning lights remain illuminated on the dashboard after start-up, particularly any hybrid system warnings given the CT's powertrain configuration.