2020 Lexus CT 1.8L Hybrid electric (clean) · RO20 VMU

Front tyre wear is the one recurring theme in this Lexus CT's record, and it is the defining mechanical story for a prospective buyer. In July 2022 the car failed its MOT with both front tyres recorded as dangerous, the tread depth on the nearside and offside front having fallen below the 1.6mm legal minimum, before passing a retest the following day. Since then the record has been clean through 2023, 2024 and 2025, but the most recent test on 29 May 2026, which the car passed, carried an advisory for the nearside front outer tyre worn close to the legal limit and worn on its edge. That edge-specific wear pattern, appearing again on the same axle that previously produced a double dangerous failure, suggests the front tyres are working hard and possibly that wheel alignment or front suspension geometry deserves scrutiny rather than the wear being purely a matter of mileage. At 74,092 miles in roughly six years, the car has averaged about 12,349 miles per year, which is above the typical UK average and consistent with regular, sustained use rather than short-hop or idle ownership. The test history shows no gaps, with annual tests conducted consistently each spring or summer, so the mileage accumulation appears steady rather than concentrated in any one period. Higher annual mileage of this sort places proportionally greater demand on consumables and chassis components: tyres, brake discs and pads, suspension bushes, dampers and wheel bearings will all have seen more cycles than a low-mileage equivalent, and the hybrid drivetrain's engine, transmission and cooling systems will have accumulated correspondingly more operating hours. Nothing in the record indicates a structural or corrosion concern, but the usage rate means wear items should be assessed on condition rather than assumed to have life remaining. For a test drive, the priority is the front axle given the repeated tyre findings. Inspect both front tyres for uneven shoulder wear, particularly feathering or heavy wear on the outer edges, as this pattern typically points to incorrect tracking or excessive toe, which will simply scrub a fresh set of tyres if left uncorrected. Ask whether a four-wheel alignment has been carried out recently, and budget for one if not. On the road, check that the steering wheel sits centred on a straight, level road and that the car does not pull to either side under steady cruising or braking, and listen for any humming or droning that rises with road speed, which can indicate a worn front wheel bearing. Beyond the front end, the clean run of passes from 2023 through 2025 with no advisories at all is a reasonable indicator that no other component has yet reached the point of attracting tester attention, though this should not be read as proof of overall condition. Given the mileage, it remains prudent to check the brake discs for lipping and the pads for remaining thickness, to listen for knocks or clonks from the suspension over uneven surfaces, and to verify smooth, quiet operation of the hybrid system as it transitions between electric and petrol power. Confirm also that the nearside front tyre flagged in May 2026 has been replaced or has adequate tread remaining, since it was already close to the legal limit at the time of that test.