Is the Lexus IS ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 40,017 MOT tests, around 64% of Lexus IS models still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 19% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 17%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 48% petrol, 35% hybrid (petrol), 17% diesel. Petrol IS models are generally compliant from 2006, while petrol cars from 2000 or earlier are likely to be charged. Every hybrid (petrol) IS in the data (2006 onwards) is likely to be compliant. Diesel IS models are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2012 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 64%
- Likely charged
- 19%
- Depends on the car
- 17%
- MOT tests analysed
- 40,017
Check a specific IS
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
IS ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many IS models of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Petrol | Hybrid (petrol) | Diesel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Likely compliant1 tested | Likely compliant594 tested | – |
| 2019 | Likely compliant3 tested | Likely compliant1,233 tested | – |
| 2018 | – | Likely compliant1,459 tested | – |
| 2017 | Likely compliant24 tested | Likely compliant1,555 tested | – |
| 2016 | Likely compliant80 tested | Likely compliant1,966 tested | Likely compliant1 tested |
| 2015 | Likely compliant120 tested | Likely compliant2,724 tested | – |
| 2014 | Likely compliant223 tested | Likely compliant2,968 tested | Check exact car1 tested |
| 2013 | Likely compliant212 tested | Likely compliant1,463 tested | – |
| 2012 | Likely compliant791 tested | – | Likely charged107 tested |
| 2011 | Likely compliant992 tested | – | Likely charged522 tested |
| 2010 | Likely compliant1,514 tested | – | Likely charged854 tested |
| 2009 | Likely compliant1,445 tested | Likely compliant1 tested | Likely charged1,193 tested |
| 2008 | Likely compliant1,834 tested | Likely compliant1 tested | Likely charged1,202 tested |
| 2007 | Likely compliant2,247 tested | Likely compliant1 tested | Likely charged1,696 tested |
| 2006 | Likely compliant2,105 tested | Likely compliant1 tested | Likely charged1,094 tested |
| 2005 | Check Euro standard1,680 tested | – | Likely charged32 tested |
| 2004 | Check Euro standard1,618 tested | – | – |
| 2003 | Check Euro standard1,458 tested | – | – |
| 2002 | Check Euro standard1,236 tested | – | Likely charged1 tested |
| 2001 | Check Euro standard890 tested | – | Likely charged1 tested |
| 2000 | Likely charged483 tested | – | – |
| 1999 | Likely charged322 tested | – | Likely charged1 tested |
How ULEZ rules apply to the IS
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Petrol (48% of IS models tested): likely compliant from 2006; 2000 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Hybrid (petrol) (35% of IS models tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
- Diesel (17% of IS models tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2012 and earlier are likely to be charged.
IS models from 2014 sit on the boundary (17% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Lexus can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how IS models fare at the MOT too: see the Lexus IS MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Lexus IS for London: what the MOT data shows
The Lexus IS models in this data were first registered between 1999 and 2020. 2007 was the most common year, with 3,946 tests (10% of the total), and half were registered in 2009 or later.
IS models from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 82% of the time, at an average of 85,049 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 72% of the time with 108,746 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest petrol IS models likely to comply are from 2006. 2,105 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 69% of the time and averaged 117,289 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the IS's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (3.8% of tests); tyres: "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" (2.3%); visibility: "does not clear the windscreen effectively" (1.9%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 15.8% of tests.
Overall, 77% of IS models passed first time, noticeably above the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 93,978 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Lexus models
About this data
Based on 40,017 first MOT tests of the Lexus IS carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 40,017 MOT tests say about the Lexus IS and London's ULEZ.
Is the Lexus IS ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 64% of IS models on the road are likely compliant and 19% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol IS years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol IS models first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel IS ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel IS models from 2012 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific IS is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- Buying a used car · 7 min readHow to read a car's MOT history before buying a used carThe MOT history is the only part of a used car's story the seller didn't write. A 10-minute method for reading it before you go to see the car.Read the guide
Is your IS ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.