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Isuzu D-Max reliability

D · Below average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 255,182 MOT tests of cars first registered 2012–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
Isuzu D-Max
72.8%pass first time
−3.7 ptsvs typical car
Beats 25%of cars
255,182MOT tests

Verdict

The Isuzu D-Max passes its MOT first time on 72.8% of tests, 3.7 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (76.5%). That puts it ahead of 25% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2013 D-Max does best (beats 34% of cars) and the 2017 worst (beats 16%).

Of its engines, the 2.5 Diesel does best (beats 27%) and the 1.9 Diesel worst (beats 18%).

Better than average on tyres, steering.

Watch these weak spots

Lights & electrics1.5×as often as a typical car
Suspension1.8×as often as a typical car
Rear fog light12.1×as often as a typical car
Shock absorbers5.6×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%34567891011121382%77%70%66%63%60%
Isuzu D-MaxTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2012
Beats 38%
2013
Beats 34%
2014
Beats 30%
2015
Beats 29%
2016
Beats 18%
2017
Beats 16%
2018
Beats 17%
2019
Beats 15%
2020
Beats 8%
2021
Beats 30%
2022
Beats 39%
2023
Beats 18%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel2012–2017166,78870.0%Beats 27%D
1.9 Diesel2017–202388,39478.1%Beats 18%E

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 2.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 9.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 5.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 12.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 3.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 7.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 12.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−4.4 ptsTyres: 3.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+3.1 ptsBrakes: 7.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−2.9 ptsSuspension: 9.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 5.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−4.0 ptsExhaust: 2.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.7 ptsSuspension: 9.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 5.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 7.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 3.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 12.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 2.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 12.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−4.4 ptsTyres: 3.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+3.1 ptsBrakes: 7.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−2.9 ptsSuspension: 9.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 5.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−4.0 ptsExhaust: 2.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.7 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Lights: 12.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
12.4% vs 8.1%
Suspension
9.2% vs 5.2%
Brakes
7.7% vs 4.9%
Visibility
4.9% vs 4.1%
Body & structure
4.3% vs 1.6%
Tyres
3.5% vs 6.6%
Emissions & leaks
2.7% vs 2.0%
Seat belts & airbags
0.9% vs 0.6%
Steering
0.7% vs 1.1%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Shock absorbers 5.6× typical
    Push down hard on each corner: it should rebound once and settle. Look for oily dampers.
  • Exhaust system 6.6× typical
    Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look for heavy corrosion underneath.
  • Sidelights 2.3× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Wheel bearings 7.8× typical
    Listen for a hum or drone that rises with speed.
  • Windscreen wipers 1.4× typical
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Suspension ball joints 1.8× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k91%85%79%73%68%63%61%58%
Isuzu D-MaxTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Rear fog light4.5%0.4%12.1×
Shock absorbers4.3%0.8%5.6×
Sidelights3.5%1.5%2.3×
Windscreen wipers2.9%2.0%1.4×
Exhaust system2.7%0.4%6.6×
Headlight aim2.1%2.5%0.8×
Tyre tread depth1.9%2.7%0.7×
Windscreen washers1.9%1.7%1.1×
Wheel bearings1.8%0.2%7.8×
Suspension ball joints1.8%1.0%1.8×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning42.0
A shock absorber bush excessively worn 40.4
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn37.6
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning29.9
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen28.8
Exhaust system leaking or insecure26.8
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements20.7
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements19.4
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Isuzu D-Max1 engine81.6% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel2,21581.6%Beats 18%E
2022 Isuzu D-Max1 engine83.8% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel7,11783.8%Beats 39%D
2021 Isuzu D-Max1 engine82.4% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel9,65382.4%Beats 30%D
2020 Isuzu D-Max1 engine78.0% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel11,03778.0%Beats 8%E
2019 Isuzu D-Max1 engine77.4% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel19,74077.4%Beats 15%E
2018 Isuzu D-Max1 engine76.3% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel23,46176.3%Beats 17%E
2017 Isuzu D-Max2 engines74.4% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel15,17175.9%Beats 22%D
2.5 Diesel15,05672.9%Beats 11%E
2016 Isuzu D-Max1 engine72.5% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel34,92872.5%Beats 18%E
2015 Isuzu D-Max1 engine72.2% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel42,59772.2%Beats 29%D
2014 Isuzu D-Max1 engine68.7% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel36,41768.7%Beats 30%D
2013 Isuzu D-Max1 engine65.8% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel26,02865.8%Beats 34%D
2012 Isuzu D-Max1 engine63.7% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel11,76263.7%Beats 38%D

FAQ

What is the Isuzu D-Max MOT pass rate?

72.8% of MOT tests on the Isuzu D-Max were passed first time, based on 255,182 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2012–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 76.5% of the time.

Is the Isuzu D-Max reliable?

On MOT results it rates D (below average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 25% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Isuzu D-Max year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2013 D-Max does best for its age and mileage: it beats 34% of cars on UK roads. The 2017 does worst: it beats 16%.

Which Isuzu D-Max engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.5 Diesel does best: it beats 27% of cars on UK roads. The 1.9 Diesel does worst: it beats 18%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Isuzu D-Max?

The most common failure items are rear fog light, shock absorbers, sidelights. Compared with similar cars, rear fog light comes up 12.1× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.