2013 Lexus IS 300H Premier CVT 2.5L Hybrid electric (clean) · JC57 DMC

A recurring pattern of brake line corrosion sits at the centre of this Lexus's MOT history, with advisories appearing at every test since 2021 and escalating into major failures on the rear pipes in early 2022. The most recent pass on 17 March 2026 carries the familiar advisory notes for both front brake pipes being corroded and covered in grease or other material, demonstrating that the corrosion issue, despite remedial greasing, has been a persistent chronic finding rather than a resolved concern. Beyond the brake pipe narrative, the record contains two failures in 2022 and 2025. The March 2022 failure flagged an excessively corroded offside rear brake pipe alongside the nearside rear, a rough offside front wheel bearing with excessive play, all classed as majors. The March 2025 failure cited a missing upper suspension locking device ball joint on the nearside front and an inoperative offside parking brake on one side. While the intervening tests in 2023 and 2024 returned clean or advisory-only outcomes, the recurrence of binding brakes, scored discs, and suspension component defects suggests ongoing wear in the undercarriage and braking systems rather than isolated incidents. At 90,505 recorded miles over approximately thirteen years, the vehicle has covered roughly 6,962 miles annually, which sits broadly in line with typical annual mileage for its age bracket. There are no significant gaps in the MOT testing timeline across the recorded period, with annual tests consistently presented from 2021 through 2026, indicating the car has remained in regular use rather than being laid up for extended periods. This consistency in usage is mechanically meaningful, as the steady accumulation of miles correlates with the observed wear on brake components, wheel bearings, and suspension parts, all of which degrade predictably with active service. The absence of any long stationary periods also means the hybrid system, brake components, and tyres have not been subjected to the particular risks associated with prolonged standing, though the mileage figure itself places the vehicle in a bracket where original drivetrain and suspension consumables are increasingly due for renewal. A prospective buyer should treat the brake pipe corrosion advisories as the priority inspection area, despite the current advisories being dressed over with grease. On examination, look closely at the rear brake pipes for any flaking, swelling, or rust bleed through the grease coating, particularly along the pipe runs near the fuel tank and rear axle, since the 2022 majors for excessively corroded rear pipes indicate this area has historically been the most vulnerable. On a test drive, listen for any clonks or knocking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly on the nearside, given the recorded failure of the upper suspension locking device ball joint, and inspect the upper wishbone and strut area for perished bushes or play when the wheel is rocked by hand. The parking brake should be tested on an incline to confirm it holds firmly on both sides, addressing the 2025 inoperative offside finding, while the offside front wheel bearing warrants a road test listening for any rotational rumble or humming that changes with vehicle speed, as this was previously flagged as rough. Brake pedal feel should also be assessed for any judder under firm application, which would corroborate the recurring advisories for scored and pitted front discs. Additional checks should focus on the undertray and component shielding, as the 2022 test noted that undertrays and covers were obscuring some components from inspection. A buyer should request that these be removed for a thorough pre-purchase inspection, allowing full visual access to the subframe, brake lines, and suspension arms for any corrosion that may be hidden. The offside front caliper should be examined for any residual binding, as this was advisory-noted in 2022 and could contribute to uneven brake disc wear. Given that the vehicle has covered over 90,000 miles, the hybrid system's auxiliary 12V battery, inverter coolant, and brake fluid should also be checked for age-related service intervals even though these items do not appear in the MOT record. Finally, any test drive should include firm braking from moderate speed to detect pulling to one side, which would suggest a sticking caliper or uneven pad wear consistent with the recorded brake component advisories across multiple test cycles.