2007 Lexus IS250 2.5L Petrol · KH57 DFY

The 2007 Lexus IS250 presents a mixed but broadly stable maintenance picture, with the most recent MOT conducted on 29 May 2026 at 139,757 miles passing without major structural or safety-critical failures. The tester flagged a nearside rear tyre worn close to the legal limit and an offside rear tyre at 2mm, alongside front brake pads wearing thin. These are consumable items rather than systemic defects, and their presence at a fresh test suggests the vehicle is being used regularly and monitored rather than neglected. The overall trend is neither sharply worsening nor clearly improving, but rather one of steady, manageable wear consistent with a car of this age and mileage. The mileage progression tells a coherent story. Between the May 2023 test at 126,567 miles and the May 2026 test at 139,757 miles, the car covered 13,190 miles over three years, averaging roughly 4,397 miles per year during that window. That is lower than the lifetime average of approximately 7,356 miles per year, which may indicate lighter recent use or periods of limited activity. The record shows no significant gaps in testing continuity, with annual tests filed consistently from 2023 through 2026, giving a reliable and unbroken service history. The most persistent area of concern across multiple tests is the rear brake pipe condition. Both nearside and offside rear brake pipes were flagged as corroded and covered in grease or other material in the May 2023 failure and again in the May 2024 pass. Corrosion on brake lines is a serious consideration on a vehicle approaching 20 years old, as it can compromise hydraulic integrity under load. A buyer should have the underside inspected with particular attention to the rear brake pipe runs, looking for active weeping, heavy surface corrosion, or any signs that previous grease applications were masking deterioration rather than preventing it. Beyond the brake lines, the 2023 failure also identified a minor exhaust gas leak and Lambda readings outside specified limits at the second fast idle, while the 2024 test noted general exhaust corrosion. These point to an ageing exhaust system that may require attention in the near term. The repeated appearance of rear tyre wear issues, including a nail puncture in 2023 and edge wear flagged in 2026, suggests the rear suspension geometry or alignment deserves a closer check, as uneven tyre wear on a rear-driven saloon can indicate worn bushes or tracking drift. A thorough underbody inspection covering suspension bushes, coil springs, and subframe corrosion would be prudent before purchase.