2016 Isuzu D Max — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 26,808 MOT tests, the 2016 Isuzu D Max recorded an 81.0% pass rate. That is 1.5 percentage points worse than pick-up trucks of a similar age, which fail at 17.5%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.6% of tests against 7.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, rear fog lamp and shock absorbers — position lamp alone was recorded 1,330 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.0% in the 0-30k band and 24.2% in the 150k+ band, a 14.2-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 26.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 15.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 3,112 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.5% | 2,011 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.1% | 1,892 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.9% | 1,300 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.4% | 1,187 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.0% | 795 |
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 | 1,330 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 1,242 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 1,215 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 998 |
| 5 | Wipers | 974 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 885 |
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 | 26.9% | 7,207 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.1% | 5,652 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.8% | 4,777 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.2% | 2,202 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.7% | 2,056 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.3% | 1,945 |
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 | 1,680 | 10.0% |
| 30-60k | 7,870 | 14.6% |
| 60-90k | 8,788 | 19.4% |
| 90-120k | 5,132 | 24.0% |
| 120-150k | 2,231 | 26.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,095 | 24.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,380 | 15.4% |
| 2022 | 5,496 | 17.8% |
| 2023 | 5,373 | 19.3% |
| 2024 | 5,344 | 20.8% |
| 2025 | 5,215 | 21.9% |
What to check before buying a 2016 D Max
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.5% 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 (7.1% 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.
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 2016 Isuzu D Maxs pass their MOT?
81.0% of the 26,808 2016 Isuzu D Max MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Isuzu D Max?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.6% of tests, followed by suspension (7.5%).
Does the 2016 D Max get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.0% in the 0-30k band to 24.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 26,808 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.