2007 Lexus RX400H 3.3L Hybrid electric · OY57 UWL

The 2007 Lexus RX400H presents a mixed maintenance picture that has stabilised considerably in recent years. The most recent MOT on 21 May 2025 at 235,324 miles passed with zero defects, a clean sheet that stands in stark contrast to the extensive failure recorded just eighteen months prior. The November 2023 failure at 231,885 miles was severe, listing twenty-one separate defects spanning suspension, braking, structural corrosion, lighting, and a missing catalytic converter. That the car returned a clean pass in May 2025 after a supplementary test passed in November 2023 with only minor advisories suggests the previous owner invested in significant remediation work between late 2023 and mid-2025. The maintenance trend is therefore improving, though the underlying history raises questions about how long those repairs will hold. The vehicle has covered approximately 235,324 miles over nineteen years, averaging roughly 12,385 miles per year, which is moderately high for a luxury hybrid SUV of this age. The record shows a gap of nearly two years between the December 2022 test at 229,995 miles and the November 2023 failure at 231,885 miles, representing just 1,890 miles in that period, followed by a jump to 235,324 miles by May 2025, adding 3,438 miles in roughly eighteen months. This pattern suggests the car sat largely unused before late 2023 and has since seen more regular use. The mileage accumulation is not extreme, but the long period of inactivity may have contributed to the corrosion and perished rubber components flagged in the 2023 failure. Prospective buyers should pay close attention to the structural corrosion that has been a recurring theme across multiple tests. Subframe mounting areas, rear sub-frame, front sub-frame, and chassis mountings within 30cm of prescribed areas were all flagged as corroded in November 2023, though none were deemed excessive at that time. The May 2025 clean pass suggests remedial work was carried out, but an independent inspection should verify whether corrosion was treated or merely masked. Front coil springs were also flagged as corroded in November 2023, a known failure point on this generation RX that can lead to sudden suspension collapse if left unaddressed. The suspension and braking systems warrant particular scrutiny. Both front suspension arm pins or bushes were flagged as likely to become detached in November 2023, and all four brake discs were worn, pitted, or scored. The subsequent clean pass implies replacement, but buyers should check for uneven pad wear, caliper binding, and play in front-end bushes during a road test. The missing catalytic converter on the 2023 failure is another red flag, as its removal and refitting may indicate cost-cutting or potential exhaust system damage. A thorough underbody inspection, including the hybrid battery cooling system and high-voltage cabling unique to the RX400h, is essential before purchase.