2021 Isuzu D-Max Utility — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Isuzu D-Max Utility passed 85.9% of its 1,488 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (8.7% fail rate), the 2021 D-Max Utility comes out 5.4pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.0%) and visibility (4.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and shock absorbers — wipers alone was recorded 66 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 10.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 15.0% once past 90-120k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 19.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.0% | 104 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.4% | 66 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.4% | 65 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.5% | 52 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.3% | 49 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.1% | 46 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 66 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 54 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 54 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 44 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 38 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 33 |
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 | 19.2% | 286 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.4% | 169 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.7% | 84 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.3% | 64 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.0% | 60 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.0% | 45 |
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 | 474 | 10.8% |
| 30-60k | 698 | 15.0% |
| 60-90k | 232 | 16.0% |
| 90-120k | 60 | 15.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 732 | 13.7% |
| 2025 | 745 | 14.6% |
What to check before buying a 2021 D-Max Utility
On a 2021 D-Max Utility, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (7.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (4.4% 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.
- Brakes (4.4% 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 Utilitys pass their MOT?
85.9% of the 1,488 2021 Isuzu D-Max Utility MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Isuzu D-Max Utility?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.0% of tests, followed by visibility (4.4%).
Does the 2021 D-Max Utility get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.8% in the 0-30k band to 15.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,488 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.