2004 Lexus RX300 3.0L Gas bi-fuel · SM04 YHD

The 2004 Lexus RX300 presents a mixed but broadly stable maintenance picture based on its DVSA MOT record. The most recent test, conducted on 24 June 2022 at 122,477 miles, resulted in a pass, yet it carried several corrosion-related advisories that demand close attention. Both the nearside and offside vehicle structure were flagged as corroded, though structural rigidity was not deemed significantly reduced. The rear sub-frame also showed corrosion without serious weakening, and both rear brake pipes were noted as corroded and covered in grease or other material. Inner edge wear on both front tyres further suggests potential alignment or suspension geometry issues. Given that the last MOT is now approaching four years old as of June 2026, the current condition of these components may have deteriorated beyond what the 2022 record indicates. The mileage pattern tells an unusual story. Between the June 2018 test at 77,545 miles and the June 2019 test at 92,288 miles, the vehicle covered 14,743 miles in twelve months. However, from June 2019 to December 2020, it added just 11,306 miles over roughly eighteen months, and then from December 2020 to June 2022, a mere 8,883 miles were recorded across another eighteen-month period. The vehicle appears to have been standing or very lightly used in the years leading up to its most recent test. This low annualised rate of roughly 5,567 miles over the vehicle's full life is well below typical usage for a car of this age. Long periods of inactivity can accelerate corrosion in brake lines, sub-frames, and structural members, as moisture and road salt are not burned off by regular driving. A buyer should prioritise a thorough underbody inspection focused on structural corrosion, particularly the rear sub-frame, both sills, and the rear brake pipe runs. The recurring advisories around corrosion on structural components, first noted as far back as the 2018 and 2019 tests, suggest this vehicle has been susceptible to rust in key load-bearing areas. The condition of all brake lines, flexible hoses, and the rear calipers should be checked carefully, as corroded brake pipes covered in grease may conceal advanced pitting or wall thinning. Suspension bushes, ball joint dust covers, and track rod ends also warrant inspection, given the advisories around deteriorated dust covers in 2019 and 2020 that can allow dirt ingress and accelerate joint wear. Tyre condition and wheel alignment should be evaluated on the day of any viewing, given the inner edge wear flagged in 2022. Front brake discs and pads have appeared on multiple tests as wearing or pitted, so their current thickness and condition should be verified. Finally, because the MOT record now has a significant gap of nearly four years, a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic is strongly advisable to establish whether the corrosion noted in 2022 has progressed to a point where structural integrity or braking performance is genuinely compromised.