2017 Isuzu D Max — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2017 Isuzu D Max passed 82.6% of its 26,233 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.5 percentage points worse than pick-up trucks of a similar age, which fail at 15.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (9.1%) and suspension (7.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, rear fog lamp and wipers — shock absorbers alone was recorded 1,453 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.7% in the 0-30k band and 25.8% in the 150k+ band, a 16.2-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 24.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 13.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.1% | 2,379 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.2% | 1,895 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.1% | 1,608 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.1% | 1,075 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.3% | 862 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.9% | 773 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 1,453 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 969 |
| 3 | Wipers | 888 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 744 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 667 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 627 |
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 | 24.3% | 6,386 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.4% | 4,832 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.6% | 4,613 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.3% | 1,906 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 6.2% | 1,634 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 1,248 |
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 | 2,850 | 9.7% |
| 30-60k | 9,325 | 14.2% |
| 60-90k | 7,752 | 18.8% |
| 90-120k | 3,967 | 23.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,565 | 24.3% |
| 150k+ | 767 | 25.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,208 | 13.7% |
| 2022 | 5,210 | 15.0% |
| 2023 | 5,288 | 17.8% |
| 2024 | 5,328 | 20.1% |
| 2025 | 5,199 | 20.4% |
What to check before buying a 2017 D Max
On a 2017 D Max, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.2% 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 (6.1% 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 2017 Isuzu D Maxs pass their MOT?
82.6% of the 26,233 2017 Isuzu D Max MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Isuzu D Max?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.1% of tests, followed by suspension (7.2%).
Does the 2017 D Max get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.7% in the 0-30k band to 25.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 26,233 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.