2003 Isuzu Rodeo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 492 MOT tests, the 2003 Isuzu Rodeo recorded a 72.0% pass rate. That is effectively the same as pick-up trucks of a similar age (28.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.9% of tests against 14.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, rear fog lamp and track rod end — ball joint alone was recorded 43 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 21.1% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 32.4% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 43.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.3% in 2021 to 25.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.9% | 88 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.4% | 71 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.4% | 61 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.2% | 55 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.5% | 37 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.1% | 30 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 43 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 39 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 29 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 26 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 24 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 24 |
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 | 43.5% | 214 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.7% | 151 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 25.6% | 126 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.9% | 98 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 12.2% | 60 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.2% | 55 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 71 | 21.1% |
| 90-120k | 85 | 27.1% |
| 120-150k | 87 | 27.6% |
| 150k+ | 213 | 32.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 132 | 27.3% |
| 2022 | 124 | 29.8% |
| 2023 | 100 | 29.0% |
| 2024 | 76 | 27.6% |
| 2025 | 60 | 25.0% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Rodeo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.4% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.4% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2003 Isuzu Rodeos pass their MOT?
72.0% of the 492 2003 Isuzu Rodeo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Isuzu Rodeo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.9% of tests, followed by suspension (14.4%).
Does the 2003 Rodeo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.1% in the 60-90k band to 32.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 492 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.