Used Car Expert Fault Guides tell you the common Lexus IS faults and wear items that can become problems and big bills for their owner.
Independent research indicated that using our fault guides to check a car before you buy it can save you an average of £300 in surprise bills and hidden problems.
That's because our Lexus IS fault guides are written so that anyone can understand them – even if you know nothing about cars and have no tools. For every common fault, we tell you what to look for, what it means and what it costs.
Select your Lexus IS fault guide:
Lexus Is (1999 - 2005) Fault Guide
Lexus Is (2005-) Fault Guide
Lexus Is (1999 - 2005) Fault Guide
We know of 8 LEXUS IS (1999 - 2005) faults which our fault check guide makes it easy for you to spot and avoid.
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2 engine faults
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2 suspension wear items or faults
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2 interior problems
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1 bodywork issues
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1 recalls
Here's an example fault on the LEXUS IS (1999 - 2005)
What to look for:
Check the paperwork to see if the cam belt has been changed on schedule. On most engines the cam belt must be changed within 6 years or 100,000 miles.
What it means:
If the cam belt and associated parts (such as the tensioner) have not been changed, and the mileage is over these boundaries, the cam belt is likely to fail soon. The engine has to be replaced or at least re-built after a cam belt failure.
What to do
Ensure that the cam belt is changed before the car is driven anywhere if it is coming close to its interval. Changing the belt will cost £330.
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Lexus Is (2005-) Fault Guide
We know of 16 LEXUS IS (2005-) faults which our fault check guide makes it easy for you to spot and avoid.
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3 engine faults
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5 suspension wear items or faults
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4 interior problems
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0 bodywork issues
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4 recalls
Here's an example fault on the LEXUS IS (2005-)
What to look for:
Test drive the car. Check for rough running, power loss or flat spots in the rev range. Check if the car is hesitant at any time or if there are any dashboard indicators of high temperature. Check also for a smell of diesel in the cabin.
What it means:
Any combination or any single fault in this list could indicate problems with the pistons. This problem is most likely to occur around 60,000 to 70,000 miles. It means stripping and rebuilding the engine or possibly replacing it.
What to do
If you find this fault and the car is under warranty (3 years/60,000 miles) then Lexus may repair the car for free. Otherwise try to negotiate a reduction of £5000 off of the price of the car.
Register to have full access to the LEXUS IS (2005-) fault guide.
Registered users also get access to our regional price guides, cars for sale email alerts, and many other benefits to help you buy a safe, reliable used car at a great price.