Isuzu D-Max Utility MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 4 model years and 2,538 tests, the Isuzu D-Max Utility passes its MOT 85.9% of the time. That is 5.7 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 8.4%. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.9%) and brakes (4.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and shock absorbers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 109 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 10.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 16.3% once past 90-120k.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 18.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every D-Max Utility model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,488 | 85.9% | 14.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2022 | 1,025 | 85.7% | 14.3% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.9% | 175 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.1% | 104 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.9% | 100 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.5% | 89 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.3% | 83 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.5% | 64 |
| 7 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.6% | 16 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 14 |
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 | 109 |
| 2 | Wipers | 105 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 102 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 61 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 56 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 47 |
| 7 | Stop lamp | 36 |
| 8 | Position lamp | 34 |
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 | 18.1% | 459 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.6% | 295 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.6% | 142 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.9% | 100 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 3.5% | 88 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.2% | 81 |
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 | 886 | 10.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,166 | 15.3% |
| 60-90k | 368 | 16.9% |
| 90-120k | 92 | 16.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 755 | 13.6% |
| 2025 | 1,771 | 14.3% |
What to check before buying a Isuzu D-Max Utility
- Lighting & signalling (6.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (4.1% 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.
- Visibility (3.9% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Isuzu D-Max Utility?
85.9% of the 2,538 Isuzu D-Max Utility MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 14.1% fail rate, across model years 2021–2024.
What does the Isuzu D-Max Utility most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.9% of tests, then brakes (4.1%).
How much does mileage affect D-Max Utility MOT results?
Fail rates run at 10.6% for cars in the 0-30k band and 16.3% for 90-120k, a 5.7-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,538 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.