Does the Lexus IS fail the MOT on seat belts and airbags more than it should?
The Lexus IS records 0.83 seat belts and airbags failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 1.75 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−0.92, 95% interval −0.97 to −0.87). It ranks 519 of 627 models on seat belts and airbags (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on seat belts and airbags · check a Lexus IS by registration
What exactly fails on seat belts and airbags?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Lexus IS is “The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired”, recorded 1,448 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 1,448 | 0.56 |
| An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction | 364 | 0.14 |
| Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended | 128 | 0.05 |
| Seat belt not functioning as intended or of an incorrect type | 36 | 0.01 |
| An airbag fitted as original equipment obviously missing | 33 | 0.01 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 257,202 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Lexus IS gets a seat belts and airbags advisory, how often does it fail next time?
6.6% of Lexus IS MOTs with a seat belts and airbags advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 5,925 miles later (754 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 754 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Lexus IS 1999 · Lexus IS 2000 · Lexus IS 2001 · Lexus IS 2002 · Lexus IS 2003 · Lexus IS 2004 · Lexus IS 2005 · Lexus IS 2006 · Lexus IS 2007 · Lexus IS 2008 · Lexus IS 2009 · Lexus IS 2010 · Lexus IS 2011 · Lexus IS 2012 · Lexus IS 2013 · Lexus IS 2014 · Lexus IS 2015 · Lexus IS 2016 · Lexus IS 2017 · Lexus IS 2018 · Lexus IS 2019 · Lexus IS 2020 · Lexus IS in Finland · Lexus IS by postcode area · Lexus IS body, chassis and structure failures · Lexus IS brakes failures · Lexus IS vehicle identification failures · Lexus IS lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Lexus IS noise, emissions and leaks failures · Lexus IS road wheels failures · Lexus IS steering failures · Lexus IS suspension failures · Lexus IS tyres failures · Lexus IS visibility failures