2018 Lexus NX 2.5L Hybrid electric (clean) · NX68 RYU

The 2018 Lexus NX presents a largely sound mechanical record, but the most recent MOT on 7 August 2025 at 76,946 miles introduces a cluster of minor yet telling advisories that suggest the car may be entering a phase of deferred maintenance. Prior to that date, the vehicle enjoyed three consecutive clean passes from 2021 through 2024, indicating consistent upkeep during its earlier life. The 2025 test, however, flagged a stone chip in the driver's windscreen outside the swept area, a missing nearside rear passenger seat, brake imbalance only just meeting the legal threshold, and slight fluctuation on all four brakes during roller brake testing. None of these are immediate failures, but together they point to a maintenance trend that has stalled rather than worsened sharply. The braking system in particular warrants attention, as imbalance combined with fluctuation across all axles hints at sticking calipers, uneven disc wear, or deteriorating brake fluid rather than a single isolated fault. The mileage progression tells a straightforward story. The car covered roughly 33,485 miles by October 2021, then added approximately 12,884 miles over the next year to reach 46,369 miles by October 2022. From there, the annual increments settled to around 7,450 miles between 2022 and 2023 and roughly 7,449 miles between 2023 and 2024, before jumping to 10,517 miles in the twelve months leading to August 2025. That final jump is notable, not alarming, but it does mean the car has been driven harder in the past year than in the preceding two. The overall average of roughly 9,600 miles per year sits comfortably within typical UK usage for a vehicle of this age, and there are no suspicious gaps or sudden drops in the recorded mileage that would raise odometer fraud concerns. A buyer inspecting this vehicle in person should focus first on the braking system. The 2025 advisory for imbalance and fluctuation across all brakes means the discs, pads, calipers, and fluid should be examined thoroughly. Look for uneven disc thickness, seized guide pins on the calipers, and check the brake fluid's boiling point and moisture content. The missing nearside rear seat is unusual and suggests either removal for commercial use or a simple oversight; verify the seat is present and that the mounting points are undamaged. The windscreen stone chip, while outside the critical swept area, has the potential to propagate, so confirm whether it has been repaired or replacement is planned. Beyond the flagged items, the 2022 advisory for front tyre wear on the edge suggests possible tracking or suspension bush wear that may have been addressed or may have recurred. Have the front suspension bushes, track rod ends, and drop links inspected, and check the current tyre wear pattern for any repeat of uneven wear. Given the car's age and the recent uptick in mileage, a thorough underbody inspection for corrosion, particularly around the subframes and suspension mounting points, is prudent. The record shows no structural or emissions failures, which is reassuring, but the shift from clean passes to multiple advisories in 2025 signals that routine servicing may have slipped, and a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic would be a wise investment.