Lexus Is — Buyer's Guide
Reliability, safety, running costs and what to check before you buy.
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Lexus Is overview
With 4,625 currently licensed in the UK, the Lexus Is is one of Britain's well-known cars.
Annual running costs are estimated at £3,986 for a typical 5-year-old example, breaking down to £332/month or 54p/mile.
Monthly Cost
£332
est. annual total
New From
£40,000
Safety recalls
There are 3 known DVSA recalls affecting the Lexus Is. Enter a registration number to check whether a specific vehicle is affected.
R/2020/060
On affected vehicles the low pressure fuel pump located in the fuel tank could become inoperative.
Build dates: 2017-07-03 to 2019-09-09
R/2016/080
The fuel pressure sensor may not have correctly tightened during assembly. Over time this may affect the seal and allow fuel odour to escape. This could ignite in the presence of an ignition source.
Build dates: 2005-06-03 to 2007-09-14
R/2014/135
The fuel pressure sensor gasket may degrade and allow fuel to leak into the engine compartment. In the presence of an ignition source the risk of fire is increased.
Build dates: 2007-07-13 to 2010-06-25
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Running costs
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Lexus Is are estimated at around £3,986 per year, or £332 per month.
Fuel
£1,284
/year
Road Tax
£195
/year
Depreciation
£1,777
/year
MOT
£55
/year
Estimated annual running costs based on available data. Excludes insurance, parking, and finance costs. Actual costs depend on your driving habits and circumstances.
Fuel economy
The Is achieves a combined fuel economy of around 44.8 mpg (35.8 mpg urban, 52.3 mpg extra-urban).
| Variant | Fuel | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| IS | DIESEL | 44.8 mpg | 2.2L |
| IS | PETROL HYBRID | 48.7 mpg | 2.5L |
| IS | PETROL/ELECTRIC | 48.7 mpg | 2.5L |
| IS | PETROL | 28.8 mpg | 2.5L |
| IS | PETROL | 24.8 mpg | 5.0L |
| IS 300H, MY18 WLTP | PETROL HYBRID | 61.4 mpg | 2.5L |
| IS F, MY2012 | PETROL | 24.4 mpg | 5.0L |
| IS, MY2012 | PETROL | 24.4 mpg | 5.0L |
Depreciation
Starting from £40,000 new, a Lexus Is typically retains about 62% after 3 years and 51% after 5 years.
| Age | Retained | Est. Value | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 83% | £33,000 | −£7,000 |
| 2 years | 70% | £28,050 | −£11,950 |
| 3 years | 62% | £24,700 | −£15,300 |
| 4 years | 56% | £22,200 | −£17,800 |
| 5 years | 51% | £20,450 | −£19,550 |
| 6 years | 48% | £19,000 | −£21,000 |
| 7 years | 45% | £17,850 | −£22,150 |
| 8 years | 42% | £16,950 | −£23,050 |
| 9 years | 40% | £16,150 | −£23,850 |
| 10 years | 38% | £15,300 | −£24,700 |
How common is the Is?
There are currently 4,625 licensed and 5,332 SORN Iss in the UK (9,957 total). This makes it a uncommon vehicle on UK roads.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Lexus Is cost to run?
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Is are estimated at around £3,986 per year (£332/month). This includes fuel, road tax, depreciation, and MOT fees — but excludes insurance, servicing, and repairs.
Are there any recalls on the Lexus Is?
There are 3 known safety recalls affecting the Is. These are issued by the DVSA when a safety defect is found. You can check if a specific vehicle is affected by entering its registration number.
How much does a new Lexus Is cost?
A new Is starts from around £40,000. After 5 years, a typical example retains about 51% of its original value.
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