2021 Isuzu D-Max Dl40 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,561 MOT tests, the 2021 Isuzu D-Max Dl40 recorded a 90.1% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 8.7% of the time, so this is 1.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.7%) and tyres (3.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, shock absorbers and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 65 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 13.7% once past 90-120k.
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 | 4.7% | 73 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.4% | 53 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.8% | 44 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.8% | 28 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.3% | 20 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.0% | 16 |
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 | 65 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 35 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 33 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 27 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 20 |
| 6 | Washers | 9 |
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% | 313 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.4% | 193 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.5% | 102 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.6% | 72 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 3.0% | 47 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.7% | 42 |
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 | 459 | 8.5% |
| 30-60k | 744 | 9.8% |
| 60-90k | 263 | 10.7% |
| 90-120k | 73 | 13.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 771 | 10.1% |
| 2025 | 779 | 9.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 D-Max Dl40
On a 2021 D-Max Dl40, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (4.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (3.4% 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 (2.8% 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?
90.1% of the 1,561 2021 Isuzu D-Max Dl40 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Isuzu D-Max Dl40?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.7% of tests, followed by tyres (3.4%).
Does the 2021 D-Max Dl40 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.5% in the 0-30k band to 13.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,561 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.