2021 Isuzu D-Max Dl40 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 683 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Isuzu D-Max Dl40, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, tyres and brakes. Its pass rate of 90.9% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.4% | 30 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.2% | 22 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.5% | 17 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.8% | 12 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.5% | 10 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.5% | 10 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 31 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 16 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 15 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 12 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 12 |
| 6 | Trailer electrical socket | 6 |
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 | 20.8% | 142 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.7% | 80 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.6% | 45 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.2% | 42 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.6% | 18 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.3% | 16 |
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 | 207 | 7.7% |
| 30-60k | 342 | 9.7% |
| 60-90k | 102 | 10.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 341 | 8.8% |
| 2025 | 334 | 9.3% |
What to check before buying a 2021 D-Max Dl40
Before buying a 2021 Isuzu D-Max Dl40, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 4.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (4.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (3.2% 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 (2.5% 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 Dl40s pass their MOT?
90.9% of the 683 2021 Isuzu D-Max Dl40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Isuzu D-Max Dl40?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.4% of tests, followed by tyres (3.2%).
Does the 2021 D-Max Dl40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.7% in the 0-30k band to 10.8% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 683 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.