2012 Isuzu D Max — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2012 Isuzu D Max passed 76.6% of its 402 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.3 percentage points better than pick-up trucks of a similar age, which fail at 24.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests against 14.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, position lamp and ball joint — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 31 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 27.5% versus 22.2%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 41.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 21.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 76 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.2% | 57 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.7% | 35 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 29 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.2% | 21 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.0% | 16 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 31 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 31 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 26 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 24 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 22 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 20 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 41.5% | 167 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.6% | 95 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 16.2% | 65 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.9% | 60 |
| 5 | Tyres | 14.7% | 59 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.9% | 48 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 36 | 22.2% |
| 60-90k | 122 | 16.4% |
| 90-120k | 123 | 26.8% |
| 120-150k | 80 | 26.3% |
| 150k+ | 40 | 27.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 78 | 21.8% |
| 2022 | 76 | 21.1% |
| 2023 | 77 | 19.5% |
| 2024 | 89 | 28.1% |
| 2025 | 82 | 25.6% |
What to check before buying a 2012 D Max
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (8.7% 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 2012 Isuzu D Maxs pass their MOT?
76.6% of the 402 2012 Isuzu D Max MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Isuzu D Max?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests, followed by suspension (14.2%).
Does the 2012 D Max get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.2% in the 30-60k band to 27.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 402 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.