2021 Isuzu D-Max Dl20 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,317 MOT tests on the 2021 Isuzu D-Max Dl20 are in this dataset, and 87.0% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (8.7% fail rate), the 2021 D-Max Dl20 comes out 4.3pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 7.1% of all tests — 3.3 points clear of tyres, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, wipers and headlamp aim — shock absorbers alone was recorded 49 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 13.4% versus 7.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.1% | 93 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.7% | 49 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.6% | 48 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.4% | 45 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.3% | 44 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.8% | 37 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 49 |
| 2 | Wipers | 44 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 44 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 38 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 31 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 24 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 20.1% | 265 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.1% | 173 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.3% | 83 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.0% | 66 |
| 5 | Suspension | 4.3% | 57 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.1% | 54 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 375 | 7.7% |
| 30-60k | 586 | 15.7% |
| 60-90k | 231 | 12.6% |
| 90-120k | 82 | 13.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 657 | 14.6% |
| 2025 | 656 | 11.3% |
What to check before buying a 2021 D-Max Dl20
On a 2021 D-Max Dl20, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (7.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (3.7% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (3.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 Isuzu D-Max Dl20s pass their MOT?
87.0% of the 1,317 2021 Isuzu D-Max Dl20 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Isuzu D-Max Dl20?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.1% of tests, followed by tyres (3.7%).
Does the 2021 D-Max Dl20 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.7% in the 0-30k band to 13.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,317 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.