2008 Lexus RX400H 3.3L Hybrid electric · LM57 UZA

The most recent DVSA examination on 5 September 2025 resulted in a Pass, with two advisories and one minor defect recorded alongside the pass certificate. The advisories concern a non-excessive oil leak and front brake discs worn but not excessively, while the minor defect notes a severely deteriorated offside front inner constant velocity boot on the drive shaft. A separate failure recorded on the same date cited the same advisory and minor items but included two Prescribeable failures: an offside front position lamp not working and a missing offside front road wheel fixing, both of which would need to be addressed before the vehicle could be re-tested. Reviewing the broader history, the same oil leak advisory has now appeared at three consecutive tests across 2023, 2024 and 2025, which suggests a persistent, slowly worsening seepage rather than a fresh defect, and the recurrence of front brake disc wear alongside it points to an ageing front brake installation that is gradually approaching its service threshold. Overall, the maintenance trend is best described as stable but with slowly accumulating wear items, and there is no evidence of structural failure or dangerous defects other than the lamp and wheel fixing omissions which are easily rectified. The recorded mileage of 107,860 miles over approximately 18 years equates to an average of around 5,992 miles per annum, which is considerably below typical usage for a vehicle of this age and indicates either light private use or, more likely given the calendar span, extended periods of standing. The MOT record itself does not contain a continuous mileage progression, but the low annualised figure is consistent with the pattern of advisories and the deteriorated CV boot, as prolonged inactivity followed by short journeys is a common cause of perished rubber boots, surface corrosion on brake components, and minor oil seepages around aged gaskets and seals. While low mileage reduces wear on major drivetrain components such as the engine internals, transmission and hybrid system, it increases the likelihood of standing-related deterioration in areas that mileage alone would not reveal. For a prospective buyer, the recurring oil leak advisory should be investigated by physically inspecting the underside of the engine and transmission for the source of the seepage, paying particular attention to areas such as the cam covers, the front timing cover, and the sump plug, as a three-year-old advisory on the same component typically indicates a gasket or seal that is unlikely to improve and may eventually require attention. On a test drive, listen for any change in engine note that might suggest oil starvation, and check the oil level and condition on the dipstick, looking for a milky appearance or any signs of mixing with coolant, which would be a far more serious concern. The front brake disc wear advisory means the discs should be measured for remaining thickness against the manufacturer’s minimum specification, and the caliper slide pins and flexibility of the brake hoses should be examined for seizing, given the low annual mileage which often leads to binding calipers. The deteriorated offside front inner CV boot, although recorded as a minor rather than a failure, represents a clear advisory to inspect the joint itself for any play, torsional shudder under acceleration, or contamination of the grease, as a torn boot left unattended will rapidly lead to joint failure. Beyond the recorded defects, a vehicle of this age and low usage profile warrants careful attention to age-related deterioration that an MOT will not necessarily capture. The tyres, despite not currently being flagged, should be examined closely for sidewall perishing and cracking, as tyres older than six or seven years can become unsafe regardless of remaining tread depth, and the date code on the sidewall should be checked. The 12 volt auxiliary battery is likely to be at or beyond its service life and should be load tested, as hybrid system batteries of this age can also show reduced capacity. Brake fluid, engine coolant, inverter coolant and the automatic transmission fluid should all be considered for renewal on a calendar basis rather than purely by mileage, and a clear service history with documented stamps will be essential to confirm that these time-sensitive items have been attended to. Finally, given the long periods of standing likely with this vehicle, the underside should be thoroughly inspected for surface corrosion to the subframes, brake lines, fuel lines and exhaust mounting points, and the test drive should include firm braking to check for pulling, vibration or shudder, tight low-speed cornering to confirm CV joint integrity, and a steady cruise to detect any abnormal noises from the suspension bushes, coil springs or anti-roll bar linkages, all of which are prone to age-related hardening and cracking rather than wear in a low-mileage example.