2013 Isuzu D Max — MOT failures & pass rate
3,518 MOT tests on the 2013 Isuzu D Max are in this dataset, and 76.3% of them passed. Pick-up trucks of a similar age fail at 22.8%, so the 2013 D Max sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.4% of all tests — 5.0 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, shock absorbers and rear fog lamp — position lamp alone was recorded 281 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 16.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 27.6% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 38.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 21.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 576 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.4% | 401 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.8% | 343 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 249 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.1% | 178 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.0% | 105 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 281 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 230 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 203 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 186 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 171 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 168 |
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 | 38.0% | 1,338 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.2% | 1,027 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.5% | 615 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.1% | 460 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.6% | 442 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.0% | 353 |
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 | 74 | 16.2% |
| 30-60k | 539 | 18.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,032 | 23.6% |
| 90-120k | 949 | 23.9% |
| 120-150k | 528 | 27.1% |
| 150k+ | 392 | 27.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 725 | 21.2% |
| 2022 | 729 | 22.2% |
| 2023 | 725 | 25.5% |
| 2024 | 676 | 24.3% |
| 2025 | 663 | 25.3% |
What to check before buying a 2013 D Max
On a 2013 D Max, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.4% 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 (9.8% 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 2013 Isuzu D Maxs pass their MOT?
76.3% of the 3,518 2013 Isuzu D Max MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Isuzu D Max?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by suspension (11.4%).
Does the 2013 D Max get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.2% in the 0-30k band to 27.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,518 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.