Isuzu D-Max: what fails at MOT
52,000 MOT tests on the Isuzu D-Max in 2024, counted. 27.2% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
27.2% of Isuzu D-Max tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 20%, so the D-Max does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (8.8% of tests), suspension (7.1% of tests) and brakes (6% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, suspension and brakes more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,416 | 15.2% | 10.9% | 34,700 23,700 to 51,000 |
| 2020 | 3,859 | 18.2% | 11.5% | 42,300 28,600 to 62,600 |
| 2019 | 5,864 | 21.3% | 13.4% | 52,100 35,400 to 76,300 |
| 2018 | 5,672 | 25.5% | 15.6% | 62,000 43,500 to 87,200 |
| 2017 | 6,507 | 28.0% | 18.2% | 71,800 51,700 to 95,700 |
| 2016 | 6,434 | 30.7% | 21.3% | 80,200 59,000 to 104,800 |
| 2015 | 7,208 | 29.8% | 24.4% | 87,600 64,800 to 113,900 |
| 2014 | 5,811 | 34.4% | 27.7% | 97,800 74,100 to 126,100 |
| 2013 | 3,949 | 34.7% | 30.6% | 101,500 77,800 to 128,000 |
| 2012 | 1,779 | 35.0% | 33.4% | 108,600 86,900 to 134,500 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Isuzu D-Max tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | D-Max | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 8.8% | 4.4% | More than most |
| Suspension | 7.1% | 3.4% | More than most |
| Brakes | 6.0% | 2.9% | More than most |
| Body and structure | 3.4% | 1.0% | More than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.4% | 2.3% | More than most |
| Tyres | 2.5% | 3.9% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.2% | 1.2% | More than most |
| Steering | 0.7% | 0.8% |
The parts that fail most
- Shock absorbers3.2%
- Rear fog light3.1%
- Side light2.5%
- Exhaust system2.1%
- Wipers1.9%
- Ball joint1.7%
- Washers1.5%
- Headlamp aim1.5%
- Wheel bearings1.4%
- Tyre tread1.4%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush3.0%
- Rear fog light: not working2.7%
- Side light: not working2.1%
- Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.0%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.9%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.6%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.3%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded1.3%
- Wheel bearings: has excessive play1.3%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge10.3%
- Wheel bearings: has slight play8.5%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material6.9%
- Shock absorbers: has a slightly worn bush4.0%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.8%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement3.5%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases3.0%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
Check a Isuzu D-Max's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.