2016 Lexus RC 2.5L Hybrid electric (clean) · RY03 SAX

A decade on the road and 125,985 miles of accumulated use have produced a remarkably clean MOT record for this Lexus RC, with eight consecutive passes and no failures ever recorded against it. The most recent test on 23 March 2026 returned a clean pass with no advisories at all, following another pass on 17 March 2025 that noted only the fitment of under trays, which is a non-defect observation and carries no mechanical concern. Earlier passes on 18 March 2024 and 25 March 2022 were also returned with no defects recorded, while the only advisory anywhere in the entire history appeared on 27 February 2023, when the nearside rear tyre was noted as worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge. That tyre wear is the sole blemish on an otherwise unblemished testing history, and its isolated nature suggests it was addressed through replacement rather than indicating any underlying tracking, suspension geometry, or alignment fault. The usage profile of this vehicle is notably high for its age and class. At ten years old with 125,985 miles on the odometer, the car has averaged roughly 12,600 miles per year, which sits well above the typical 7,000 to 9,000 mile average for a privately owned coupe of this type. MOT tests have been carried out at broadly regular annual intervals since 2019, with no significant gaps in testing that would suggest prolonged off-road storage, meaning the mileage recorded is likely a fair representation of continuous in-service use rather than an artificially deflated figure. This level of annual accumulation places greater demand on consumables such as brake pads, discs, tyres, and drive belts, and accelerates wear on suspension bushes, coil springs, shock absorbers, and engine ancillaries compared to a lower-mileage example, even when no defects have yet been formally flagged. For a prospective buyer, the absence of any braking, suspension, or corrosion advisories across eight tests is encouraging, but the mileage figure warrants close physical inspection of the high-wear items. On a test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly from the lower control arm bushes and anti-roll bar drop links, both of which are common wear points on Lexus models of this era. Check for any vibration through the steering wheel or brake pedal under firm deceleration, which would suggest warped front brake discs, and feel for any pulling to one side that could indicate a binding caliper or uneven pad wear. Pay particular attention to the rear suspension, where the nearside tyre edge wear noted in 2023 may have been symptomatic of slight camber misalignment; verify by inspecting all four tyres for uneven inner or outer shoulder wear, and confirm that the rear tyres sit flat on the road surface. A thorough pre-purchase inspection should also include raising the vehicle to check for any oil seepage from the engine sump, valve cover gaskets, or power steering rack, none of which have been flagged on MOT but are common at higher mileages. Inspect the under trays noted in 2025 for any signs of being refitted over corroded components, and check the exhaust system for blowing joints or deteriorating rubber mountings. Test the automatic gearbox for smooth, hesitation-free shifts through all ranges when cold and once fully warm, as the high annual mileage puts sustained stress on transmission components. Finally, verify that the most recent tyre replacements were uniform in brand, size, and tread pattern across each axle, and ensure the service history corroborates the high odometer reading with documented timing belt, spark plug, and fluid change intervals appropriate to the mileage.